Miss Iceland the new Miss World '05

An elated Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir waves to the crowd

The self-styled "organised, ambitious and good-humoured" Unnur, 21, won the hearts and minds of the judges at the glittering finals of the 55th Miss World contest, held for a record third time in Sanya.

She said her motto is, "You are what you do."

Miss Mexico, Dafne Molina Lona, 23, came first runner-up while Miss Puerto Rico, Inngrid Marie Rivera Santos, 22, was adjudged second runner-up in the two-hour-long gala, seen live by over two billion people worldwide.

Miss India, Sindhura Gadde, who entered the semi-finals, lost to her South Korean rival, Eun-Yong Oh in the contest for selection from the Asia-Pacific region.

An ecstatic Unnur said, "I am still in shock. I did not hear my name at first; I just heard it echo around the room. I only knew it was me because nobody else moved! Then it all came true."

"It is wonderful to know that so many people voted for me in the text vote and put me through to the top two in Northern Europe. I was pleased to win the title of Miss World Northern Europe. Then to win Miss World is incredible. I just feel wonderful. It came as a big shock but the feeling is incredible. I am numb," she added.

Now Unnur has her eye on other frontiers. In her words, "I want to spend a lot of time travelling to work with people where we can make a difference. That is what life should be all about. No former Miss Iceland has done charity work and my goal is to change that. My grandfather died of lung cancer and so I feel very strongly about supporting cancer victims."

Unnur, who lives at home with her mother and step father, has varied interests. As well as being a student, she is a professional dancer in major shows in Iceland and also a dance teacher.

While others worked in the local store during their summer break, Unnur chose a more unusual job - she spent the summer months as a police officer at her local airport.

Source: PTI