The 2016 Miss World competition takes place this weekend and we've had a look to see who the bookies believe might take the crown.
This weekend witnesses the 66th edition of Miss World, the prestigious event will be held in Washington this year and as always there’s some juicy odds on offer.
The entrants actually gathered in late November however the Grand Final takes place on the 18th December, where 117 women from all over the world will meet in the U.S to battle it out for the title. Last year, Mireia Lalaguna from Spain won the crown, however a Spanish double looks unlikely as the bookmakers have priced this year’s entrant at 40/1.
This year the women compete in talent events including Talent, Top Model, Sports and Fitness, Multimedia and Beauty with a purpose. The talent event gives the girls a chance to show off their skills, typically this includes singing, reading poetry and dancing. In the top model round the judges will cast their eye over the competitor’s catwalk skills. Sports and fitness traditionally starts with a gym based assessment and then a series of sporting events normally associated with the country the event is being held. The multimedia round tests the knowledge and understanding of the entrant’s social media, national media and television skills. Finally, beauty with a purpose looks at charitable projects the women are involved in. The public also get a say, a voting system lets the general public select one girl to be in the Grand Final.
Nobody in the last ten years has won both the sports challenge round and then gone onto be Miss World, in the same period only one person has won the talent event and the main prize. As for top model, four people have finished top of the event and then been crowned Miss World. Some of the events have already taken place; the top 21 in the talent event has already been selected and the Cook Islands have won the Sports and fitness round.
Venezuela have been the most successful country in the competition’s history, the South American nation have won the crown a record six times. Their entrant this year is Diana Croce Garcia, the 19 year-old student is a 14/1 shot to add to the country’s tally. However, you need to go back to 2003 for the last time a 19 year-old won the crown.
In the last ten years a 23 year-old has won the title five times, Madeline Cowe from Australia is hoping this recent trend continues, she’s currently 13/2 to win. Australia haven’t taken the top spot since 1972, but according to the odds they’ve got a 13% chance of ending the drought.
The Philippines have not only accounted for 60% of the bets on Oddschecker but they’re a clear favourite for the event at 6/5. Given the Philippines entrant is Catriona Elsia Gray, a fashion and commercial model her odds are not surprising.
The Cook Islands entrant finished first in the sports and fitness round and was in the top 21 for the talent competition but still lies at 125/1. However, with only 3015 Facebook followers and limited modelling experience she will struggle to gain points in other rounds. The People Choice Award allows one entrant to make the Grand Final thanks to the public vote, meaning the support and popularity for the contestants will be crucial. In terms of the biggest Facebook following, 14/1 shot Thailand (401,718) and the 8-11 favourites Philippines (353,549) comfortably lead the way.
Croatia’s entrant Angelica Zacchigna is a model/singer, she’s already finished in the top 10 in the talent event and came runners-up in the sports round. She’s 125/1 even with her television and modelling background.
Soon time for travel.... I'm proud and happy to represent my homeland :)
— Angelica ZACCHIGNA (@MWCroatia) November 18, 2016
See you #MW2016 #missworld #missworld2016 pic.twitter.com/nwOc5qYnDA
It looks unlikely we’ll have a winner from one of the home countries, only the Scottish entry finished in the top 21 for the talent round. She’s currently 50/1 along with England. Wales sit at 90/1 and are 14/1.
Feeling very patriotic and I know my lady Miss USA definitely is feeling patriotic while she shows off USA's Capitol!#loveAmerica pic.twitter.com/AHFpXiplsM
— Elizabeth GRANT (@MWEngland) December 1, 2016
