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Raucous Antics Prove Miss Backpacker Winner
Tue January 27, 2004 10:34 AM ET
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By Sophie Hares
SYDNEY (Reuters) - It's a long way from diamante tiaras, satin sashes and a heartfelt desire for world peace, but competition at Miss Backpacker 2004 is hot. At the KingsX Hotel in Sydney's notorious red light district, around 200 mainly British backpackers lured by the promise of "ravishing bosomed beauties" crowd the low-lit bar to see four girls battle it out in the latest heat of Miss Backpacker and the chance to win A$1,000 ($781).
"I've always wanted to do something like this but never had the guts to in London," said Amy Fernandez, a 20-year-old with tattoos and diamante belly button stud.
"My mum's a big feminist, if she knew I was doing this, she'd kill me," said Fernandez, who lists her hobbies as drinking and soccer.
Contestants are marked on swimwear, streetwear and their ability to perform an on-stage challenge. The most taxing question they have to answer is what they like about Australia.
Huge cheers erupt when statuesque British blonde Vix Stevens, fresh from a wet T-shirt contest in Queensland, takes the swimwear section by storm as she rips off her black bikini top and springs into a topless handstand.
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