(Global Beauties) This is definitely a very good year for Miss World. Not only in terms of quantity of contestants (93), but also in terms of quality and beauty. Even though about half of the delegates are "top 10 material", no one can be considered an absolute favourite or sure bet for the crown.

With only three days to the final night of competition, the pressure is already being felt by the candidates, as there are no 'secured spots' among the top 10, not even for the so called 'favourites'. The delegates themselves have prepared their own top 10 lists, which differ deeply from one another. It is really anyone's game at this point.

To come up with a list of front runners, I collected information from several press members and from the delegates themselves. Then I added my own opinion. Here are the favorites, in their respective continents:

Americas:
This is a very strong group. Front-runners include Venezuela, Brazil, Chile and the USA. Miss Venezuela is striking, she is also very approachable and personable. Although she is considered to be one of the favourites, she is feeling the pressure of a strong competition. She knows that Venezuela failed to "make the cut" in three of the last four years. Miss Brazil is very exotic, her facial features are one of the finest in the group. Joyce is also very friendly.

Chile: Christianne is indeed very photogenic, and she looks just as beautiful in person. She is considered by most delegates as a top 10 contender, although some have grown to dislike her, they claim that at times she might come across as a bit too arrogant.

USA: Carrie is definitely considered a top 10 delegate by most everyone. In my eyes she has been over hyped. She is beautiful, but nothing extraordinary, like other girls here.

Other delegates that could easily make the top 10 are Bolivia (classy, but with no spice), Colombia, Costa Rica (one the tallest at 6'2"); Dominican Republic, Guyana, Mexico, Nicaragua and Uruguay.

Miss Guyana could be a big surprise at the final night. Guyana is beautiful, very funny and extroverted.

Miss Panama has a beautiful face, but is not that strong of a contender.

The Queen of the Americas should be Venezuela or Chile.

Africa:
I would not be surprised if the three front-runners from this group, make it to the finals. They are: Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania.

Nigeria already proved that she has what it takes in Miss Universe. It will be no surprise t see her in the top 10 again.

South Africa, who also participated in Miss Universe, is beautiful and as per most of the delegates, has been a perfect host. The fact that she has the home court advantage could give the extra edge to make the top10 she lacked in Puerto Rico.

Watch out for Tanzania... this is one of the few WOW beauties. Happiness has the model type and style which are in vogue in pageants today. She is my choice for Queen of Africa.

Other strong candidates: Ghana, Kenya and Bostwana.

Asia & Oceania:
Three are the front runners from Asia and the Pacific: China, India and Lebanon.

China has been getting a lot of press attention as she is the second contestant from her country to participate at an international beauty pageant. She has the biggest delegation in Sun City. The Chinese delegate is a very nice-looking and sweet girl. Most people, including the delegates, seem to agree that she will make the finals, however, some of them do not rule out that politics is working on her behalf.

India. Like the USA, this beauty has been over-hyped. Pretty and elegant and a strong contender, but not a front-runner; nevertheless, most people do include her in their top 10 lists, perhaps due to tradition?

Lebanon: This is another girl to watch out for. Very strong candidate, lots of character and beauty. Her only flaw is that her eyebrows are too high.

Other strong contenders from this region are Hawaii, Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Japan and Turkey.

Caribbean:
Front runners from this group and also to win the title of Caribbean Queen are Aruba and Puerto Rico.

Aruba is gorgeous, a very exotic blend of oriental, Latin and Caucasians features. She is also very friendly and sweet.

Puerto Rico has a very striking face and is a well prepared delegate.

Other strong contenders from the Caribbean are Misses Cayman Islands and Dominican Republic.

Europe:
Here it becomes even more difficult to make predictions.....There are so many beautiful girls in this group that it is nearly a mission impossible. Here is an attempt to do so: front runners are Yugoslavia, Ukraine and England.

Yugoslavia is a favorite among the contestants and the press, one of the tallest, as well as one of the most beautiful faces. She could certainly be Queen of Europe.

Ukraine: Beautiful girl, she has very good chances to make the top 10.

England: Very friendly and what a beautiful face! She is also in most delegates' top10 lists; however, she is not as striking as the other front runners.

Strong Contenders: Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Iceland, Romania, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Slovak Republic and Switzerland.