SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) -- Miss Russia, Oxana Fedorova, won the Miss Universe title at a glittering ceremony in Puerto Rico on Wednesday night, sweeping away a field of 74 other candidates with her long raven hair and elegance. In second place was Miss Panama, Justine Pasek, while Miss China, Ling Zhuo, finished third. China had never sent a contestant to the competition before. The winners were announced at the end of a gala night of parades in swimsuits and evening gowns in San Juan, capital of the U.S. Caribbean territory of Puerto Rico.

Can you believe these contests are still around? Geez, what a throwback to the 1950s.

Autumn, they are now masquerading as "Scholarship" pageants but I have had to judge enough young kids in them that I have had all the off-key singing I can stand in one lifetime. The Russian Lady really is stunning!

Destined to be the next Rula Lenska, hawking hair care products. Don't give me that scholarship baloney--it's still a T&A show, just seems more wholesome 'cause it's the girl next door look.

Of course it is! I got into a real row with one male judge who chose Miss Jugs of 1999 and I wanted a cute but smart girl next to her. I lost. I was the only female on the panel. Oh well.

What if women were the sole judges allowed on those panels? Someone like Fran Leibowitz would be Ms. America!!

Hi all Lol. If we had a Miss IQ the females here would all have been on the podium at least once. Honestly you gals have more brains than some of the supermodels. Rob

Gee, thanks! (I think!)

Uh Rob, was that supposed to be a compliment? Thanks! (I think....)