Miss Jamaica World 2003, Jade Fulford, flanked by first runner-up Chantelle Fisher (Miss Navy Island, left), and Miss Lime Cay, third-placed Tracy Cowan. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

JADE Fulford, a 21 year-old fourth-year student at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, was crowned Miss Jamaica World Saturday last inside the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel's ballroom.

Standing five feet, 11 inches with vital statistics of 33-26-39, Fulford, ironically, wore the sash Miss Emancipation Park. First runner-up was Miss Navy Island, Chantelle Fisher and Tracy Cowan Miss Lime Cay, was third.

It was a satisfying result for most of the patrons, many of whom were standing, as Fulford was a crowd favourite from the start of Spartan's 25th staging of the pageant.

She walked confidently throughout the two-hour, 30-minute finals in front of a frenetic crowd which included Julia Morley, head of the Miss World competition, and the reigning Miss World, Azra Akin of Turkey.

Fulford diplomatically handled the most amusing question of the evening, posed by former Miss World now communications consultant, Lisa Hanna: "Have you always been this tall?", asked Hanna. Fulford: "At the age of 13, I was already 5'9."

She wowed the crowd even more when she described her elegant form-fitting gown designed by Uzuri International: "I'm wearing jade on Jade." She declared that "as Miss Jamaica World I would strive to follow the example set by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and use my fame, and title to raise money for the less fortunate."

Two of the judges, Appliance Traders Limited group finance director Patrick Lynch, and Ayisha Richards, Miss Jamaica World 2000, attributed Fulford's win to her elegance, stature, poise, confidence and intelligence. Azra Akin also thought her to be a formidable choice.

With crown perched, and the keys to her prize motor car -- a 2003 Peugeot 206 -- in hand, Fulford told the Observer immediately after her crowning, that this victory was due to the fact that "I stayed calm under pressure. I was nervous, especially during the interview, but remained calm and composed...I did my best, and it was obviously good enough."

Her "best" convinced members of the public participating for the first time in the Public Vote as well as a panel of judges comprising mostly past beauty queens and major sponsors. Fulford's "best" was also good enough to beat 19 other contestants; she walked away with the Spartan Model Award, a first-class ticket to London on Air Jamaica's Atlantic limousine; a complete wardrobe compliments of Uzuri; a wardrobe of shoes; and cash awards from several sponsors including Coca Cola, Jergens, and L'Oreal.

Her next big assignment will be on December 6 when she vies for the coveted Miss World title in China.

The evening's production was marred by technical glitches and performances that were much too long.

Highlights were presentations to Julia Morley for her longstanding involvement with Miss World, in particular her introduction of the theme "Beauty with a purpose".

The 1995 production of Miss Jamaica World, under the theme Port Royal, produced by The Cathy Levy Players, won for Best Production, and Paul Hamilton's 1983 Tropical design was cited for Best Set Design.

Weston Haughton received an award for outstanding services to the competition as did chief judge Tommy James, and Mickey Haughton-James, the man behind the local franchise for the past 25 years.

Other awards given out were the L'Oreal Best Hair cash prize award of $15,000 which went to Miss Treasure Beach, Karen Sang; the Hot Shots Photogenic award to Tracy Cowan who also won the Colgate $15,000 Smile award. Christine Mighty took home the Jergens Skin Tone Award valued at $15,000 and Jasintea Walters, Miss Fern Gully, $15,000 for Miss Coca Cola (bottle shape).

The Miss Jamaica World Singer sewing machine talent cash award of $20,000 was won by Sharice Fernander, Miss Faith's Pen. The Western Area won the Miss Jamaica World Award. which was accepted by Nikki Swaby, and Nicky Baxter.

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