‘Miss New Zealand’ criticises contest

Press, 9 December 1982, Page 3

‘Miss New Zealand’ criticises contest

PA Auckland “Miss New Zealand,” Susan Mainland, aged 19, flew into Auckland Airport yesterday a little. disenchanted with and critical of the “Miss World” beauty contest. “I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but it did not turn out the way I thought it would,” she said. She described the contest in London, as good, clean fun but was critical of the show's organisation. “There was a lack of communication between the organisers and the contestants,” Miss Mainland said. “We were given no itinerary and were sometimes given only minutes notice of interviews or photographic sessions.” She also told how she and other contestants had gone to a London disco to relax, believing they would be the only ones there. However, the nightclub owner opened the doors and charged L 5 ($11.50) for (he' public to

come and see the “Miss World” entrants. “The organisers should not have let that happen,” Miss Mainland said. “We just hurried away, got on a bus and went home.” Assertions that the contest was rigged were made after the crowning of “Miss Dominican Republic” as “Miss World” on November 18. Miss Mainland said the winner, Miss Mariasela Alvarez Lebrou, aged 22, had not been expected to win at all. “How the judges could have picked ‘Miss World’ after only two minutes with each of the 68 contestants I do not know,”'She said. “It does make you wonder if they knew beforehand who 'was going to win.” Miss Mainland, who was a student teacher at Hamilton when she became “Miss New Zealand,” was not sure of her immediate plans, but said she would be very busy with engagements - before her reign ended i/ August.