By Meena Kar
Eighteen year old, Miss Venezuela Stephania Fernandez took away the crown of Miss Universe 2009 on Sunday, at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in Bahamas. Last year too a South American had won the title and this is the 6th title for Venezuela, and Fernandez is the 58th winner of the prestigious title. Last year the contest was organized in Vietnam’s resort city of Nha Trang.The contest was hosted by Billy Bush and he was accompanied by “Celebrity Apprentice” Claudia Jordan.

Fernandez was shortlisted in the final 5 contestants who were sieved out from 84 deserving contestants on the show. All of them gave a compelling performance dressed in elegant cocktail dresses, and re-appeared in sexy swimming costumes.

Fernandez was honored with the glory by former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza who is also from the same country. This years outcome has again proved that there is no dearth of glamorous ladies with the killing instinct in the oil-producing country Venezuela, which has been a conspicuous source of contestants each year.

The first runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de le Cruz. The other top five beauties who displayed great personality were from Australia, Puerto Rico and Kosovo. They were selected from 15 contestants among which were ladies from Belgium, Sweden, South Africa, U.S., Czec Republic, Crotia, France, Switzerland, Dominican Republic, Albania and Iceland.

Stefania was exhilarated like any teenager to receive the title and even accidentally dropped the tiara while it was being placed on her head.She wore a sizzling red gown onstage. She is not a novice in beauty pageants for she has already won Miss Venezuela 2008 in September at Caracas, Venezuela.She won the ‘Best Body’, ‘Miss Elegance’ and ‘Best Face’ categories at the same event.