Miss Jamaica World Model fast-tracks into top 12

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

The first of six fast-track eliminations for the 2014 Miss Jamaica World (MJW) competition took place at the Sand Restaurant at Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay, St James, last Saturday.

Nineteen of the 20 contestants selected after the eliminations on May 31 competed in the model fast-track competition, from which the winner will earn automatic selection to the final 12 on the night of the pageant, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on July 12.

The show went on despite threatening showers, and saw Regina Harding, Miss Carmax, walking away with the title of Miss Jamaica World Model 2014. Second was Kimberly Webb, Miss Sunset Beach Resort, while Miss Dunn's Furniture and Home Decor, Shanta Spencer, took the third-place spot.

The top three were selected after the five judges - host Ambassador Patrick Casserly, MJW franchise holder and organiser Laura Butler, Max Earle, Angeline Anderson and Cecile Levee - deliberated for several minutes to come up with the top three.

According to Butler, one contestant, Jessica Taylor, who wore the sash Miss Oxx Systems, has decided to discontinue her participation in the competition because of work commitments.

"Based on previous similar situations, we will be extending an invitation to the entrant which had the next best score. If she accepts, we will be back to 20. If she does not, we will continue with 19," Butler told The Gleaner last Saturday.

The contestants, who paraded in swimwear and evening wear, received several catcalls from the audience as locals and tourists alike sought to determine who the winner would be.

"It is early days yet. The girls are just out of eliminations. There is no gym work or formal training just yet," said Butler. "I am sure working out in the gym and eating properly will see them giving a more impressive showing in the future," she ended.