Miss Russia 2010 Winner is Irina Antonenko

On March 7, the new Miss Russia was crowned and she was Irina Antonenko from the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. She was crowned by Miss Russia 2009, Sofia Rudieva. Irina Antonenko was awarded with a cash prize of $100,000 and the right to represent Russia at the upcoming Miss World 2010 beauty pageant.

The title of first vice-miss or 1st run-up went to Irina Sharipova, representing Russia's Volga Republic of Tatarstan. Olga Kononenko of another Urals city, Chelyabinsk, was named second vice-miss or the 2nd run-up. Apart from the titles won, both of them are now free to choose any college or university to study in the world. The awarding ceremony was run by popular TV host Garik Martirosyan and pop singer Alsu.

Completing the top 15 semi-finalists were Maya Smirnova, Elena Martynyuk, Viktoria Bogoslavtseva, Valeria Shkalova, Svetlana Kolesnikova, Yulia Sukrusheva, Alena Moskalik, Angelina Alhovik, Alina Solovieva, Tamara Zhukova, Olga Nazarova and Maria Lavrova.

Protecting Mother Earth in a swimsuit!

Miss Earth green beauty pageant and high heels
Welcome to the Beauty Competition for Mother Earth.
The annual search to find four Earth Girls who will proudly represent their country in Miss Earth fulfilling the ideals of the competition - that beauty queens can be strong and effective advocates for Mother Earth. The Miss Earth contestants are informed, goal-oriented and committed to playing a part in preserving and protecting the environment for future generations.

Brazilian girl Larissa Ramos is Miss Earth 2009

Brazilian lass Larissa Ramos, named Miss Earth 2009.

The 19-year-old beauty is quite concerned about issues like air pollution, water pollution, recycling and land erosion. Alejandra Pedrajas of Spain, Sandra Seifert of The Philippines and Jessica Barboza of Venezuela were runner-ups in the beauty pageant.

The ladies were selected after swimsuits rounds, evening gowns and their views on environmental damage, reports the Sun.

Ramos, who is a student of Biology in Universidade Federal do Amazonas, will now become the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and other environmental groups.

Protecting Mother Earth in a swimsuit! - 15 Pics

Miss Earth green beauty pageant and high heels
Welcome to the Beauty Competition for Mother Earth.
The annual search to find four Earth Girls who will proudly represent their country in Miss Earth fulfilling the ideals of the competition - that beauty queens can be strong and effective advocates for Mother Earth. The Miss Earth contestants are informed, goal-oriented and committed to playing a part in preserving and protecting the environment for future generations.