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Venezuela makes history at the Miss Universe pageant... by winning the crown for the second year running!

As Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez takes home the Miss Universe 2009 crown, the first runner-up title is shared by Miss Australia Rachael Finch and Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Perez, with the title of second runner-up going to Miss Kosovo Gona Dragusha.

Venezuela has won five Miss Universe titles, five Miss World and four Miss International crowns — more than any other country.

The new Miss Universe is of Russian, Ukrainian, Galician and Polish origin. Her mother is Nadia Krupij Holojad and her father Carlos Fernández. The 18-year-old Virgo enjoys tennis and swimming as her hobbies.

Heartbeats pace up as the hosts of the evening Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia Jordan and Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush, announce the contestants who made it to the top 5. The names are...

Miss Dominican Republic, Ada

Miss Australia, Rachael Finch

Miss Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos Perez

Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez

Miss Kosovo, Gona Dragusha

Miss Congeniality: Miss China, Wang Jingyao

Miss Photogenic: Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej

Gowns galore...

Glitz and glamour takes charge as the top 10 contestants sizzle on the stage in gorgeous evening gowns.

Competition gets tougher as the list narrows down to top 10, which includes:

Miss Australia, Rachael Finch

Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez

Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar

Miss Dominican Republic, Ada

Miss Kosovo, Gona Dragusha

Miss Czech Republic, Iveta Lutovska

Miss Switzerland, Whitney Toyloy

Miss Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos Perez

Miss France Chloe Mortaud

Miss USA Kristen, Dalton

The temperatures on the stage soar high as the bikini clad contestants sashay down the ramp.

The top 15 contestants who will now vie for the crown are:

Miss Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos Perez

Miss Iceland, Ingibjorg Egilsdottir

Miss Albania, Hasna Xhukici

Miss Czech Republic, Iveta Lutovska

Miss Belgium, Zeynep Sever

Miss Sweden, Renate Cerljen

Miss Kosovo, Gona Dragusha

Miss Australia, Rachael Finch

Miss France, Chloe Mortaud

Miss Switzerland, Whitney Toyloy

Miss USA Kristen, Dalton

Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez

Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar

Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee De la Cruz

Miss Croatia, Sarah Cosic

The stage is set!

The stage is set in the hues of blue and the 84 contestants take the stage in white floral dresses for the introduction.

The pageant, being telecast live from 6.30 am IST on Star World, from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas is being hosted by Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush and model, actress and former Miss Rhode Island USA Claudia Jordan. In recent years, the contest has been watched in over 180 countries.

The girls will be judged in three categories — swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title.

Earlier, the confident and gorgeous beauty won a lot of compliments during her stay at the Bahamas, where the contest is being held. Ekta told us, “Somebody told me that I represent my country very well. Another compliment that touched my heart was — ‘though you look very Indian, yet your personality is very global’.” ( Watch Video )

Back home, designer Ritu Kumar, who has designed her national costume for the pageant, had commented, “Her height, I think, is her strongest point and then comes her classic face. I see amazing confidence in her.”

Designers Gauri-Nainika, who designed her evening gown, added, “Ekta is a very natural person. When we were working with her, she was not trying to be someone she is not.”