Sofia Rudyeva wins Miss Russia-2009

MOSCOW, March 9 (Itar-Tass) -- Sofia Rudyeva, 18, from St. Petersburg has won the title of Miss Russia-2009. The jury of the contest, which was at the Manezh Exhibition Hall in downtown Moscow on Saturday, elected Rudyeva from 50 most beautiful young women of the country. However, the names of the winners were announced only on Sunday. The conditions of the contest were such.

First Vice-Miss became Svetlana Stepankovskaya from the Krasnodar Territory. Second Vice-Miss – Kseniya Shepilova from Kokhmy in the Ivanovo region.

Sofia Rudyeva will represent Russia at the forthcoming Miss World beauty pageant.

Svetlana Stepankovskaya from the Krasnodar region of Russia took the second place, whereas Ksenia Shepilova from the town of Kokhma, the Inanovo region, came third. In addition to the tittles, the girl obtained a unique opportunity to choose any educational institution of the world where they would like to study free of charge.

Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela, and Miss World 2008, Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia, attended the ceremony as guests of honor. The jury – Olga Slutsker, the president of World Class fitness clubs, Alena Doletskaya, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, pop singer Dmitry Malikov, restaurant keeper Arkady Novikov, fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin and Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza – were quick in making their decision. Dayana Mendoza announced the winner.

Sofia Rudyeva has been in the modeling business for several years already. She took part in a number of professional fashion shows.

Miss Russia Pageant is a Russian beauty pageant for young women. The pageants have been running since the year 1993, however it did not take place in 1994 and 2000. Since 2007 Miss Russia finalists represent Russia in both Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. Russia has a total of 3 major international pageants winners: Miss World 1992, Miss Universe 2002 and Miss World 2008. Miss Russia 2007 Ksenia Sukhinova was declared Miss World 2008 at the grand finale in Johannesburg on 13th December, 2008.