Puerto Rico will not send a representative in Miss World 2017, The Qrown reported. This decision was due to the recent hurricanes that have affected the country.
“With deep regret, we want to notify you that this year, the Miss World Puerto Rico Organization will not send representatives to the international competition,” national pageant director Ana Avilés told The Qrown.
She added that even their national pageants have been postponed due to the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The events were supposed to be held in September. Hurricanes Irma and Maria were two of the recent calamities that made a landfall on the Caribbean island, as well as in some parts of the United States.
“This last event of natural strength had catastrophic results for our country, without communication made it impossible to complete responsibility the selection of a representative to the Miss World international contest for this year,” Avilés added.
The organizers were also unable to reach out to around half of their candidates because of the recent events in Puerto Rico, the report added.
However, a pageant will be held in November that will determine the country’s representative to Miss World 2018.
2017 edition
More than 100 delegates are expected to compete for the coveted title of Miss World 2017. It is one of the most prestigious pageants along with Miss International, Miss Earth, Miss Grand international and Miss Universe.
There will be various rounds in the competition that will test the physical beauty, physical strength and intelligence of the candidates. These rounds include sports contests, runway shows, social media challenges and the final competition during the coronation night.
The 67th edition of the pageant will be held at the Sanya City Arena in China on November 18.
Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Del Valle will crown the new titleholder in the final event.
Puerto Rico’s 2016 win
Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle bested the other candidates during last year’s edition held at MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C., The Telegraph reported. Dominican Republic’s Yaritza Reyes was declared first runner-up, while Indonesia’s Natasha Mannuela won second runner-up. Candidates from the Philippines and Kenya rounded out the top five.
This nation in the Caribbean has been a front-runner in Miss World and in other international pageants. It is the 17th country with several wins since Miss World was launched in 1951, the UK-based publication added.