Miss Universe 2009: Contestants

With D-day round the corner, here's a sneak peek at the sizzling beauties battling to win the coveted Miss Universe 2008 crown. Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Perfect combination of Indian beauty and international style, Ekta Chaudhary who made us proud by winning Miss India Universe title is all set to do it again for her country. We are waiting for the crown Ekta. (REUTERS)

The long awaited day has almost come and Ingibjorg Egilsdottir, Miss Iceland 2009 is waiting to proudly wear the coveted crown. Best of luck babe. (REUTERS)

The race for the prestigious crown has begun but there has to be just one winner. So, Dominique Peltier, the most beautiful of Bolivia must be prepared by now. (REUTERS)

Mariana Valente, Miss Canada 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Among the ocean of beauties, there's stiff competition for the Miss Universe crown. But Jessica Umana from Costa Rica is a beauty who'd like to fight till the end. (REUTERS)

Whitney Toyloy, Miss Switzerland 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Indiana Sanchez, Miss Nicaragua 2009, poses for a photographer at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Lourdes Figueroa, Miss Guatemala 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Mareike Baumgarten Oroa, Miss Paraguay 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP)

Jingyao Wang, Miss China 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Hasna Xhukici, Miss Albania 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Miss Russia 2009 Sofia Rudyeva (L-R), Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton and Miss Serbia 2009 Dragana Atlija at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Mariana Valente, Miss Canada 2009 and Iveta Lutovska, Miss Czech Republic 2009 pose in their swimsuits during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Kiara Sherman, Miss Bahamas 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Jingyao Wang, Miss China 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Chole Mortaud, Miss France at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP)

Martina Lee, Miss Germany 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Emiri Miyasaka, Miss Japan 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Estibaliz Pereira Rabade, Miss Spain 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Chutima Durongdej, Miss Thailand 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Essi Poysti, Miss Finland 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Kristina Kots Gotlib, Miss Ukraine 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP)

Michelle Rouillard, Miss Colombia 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Julia Dyment, Miss Israel 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Bianca Manalo, Miss Philippines 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Laura Valenti, Miss Italy 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Yen Vo, Miss Vietnam 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP)

Kristina Kots Gotlib, Miss Ukraine 2009 poses at poolside at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Eli Landa, Miss Norway 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP)

Julia Dyment, Miss Israel 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP)

Julia Dyment, Miss Israel 2009; Happie Ntelamo, Miss Namibia 2009, and Carolyn Yapp, Miss Jamaica 2009 on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP)

Michelle Rouillard, Miss Colombia 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Mareike Baumgarten Oroa, Miss Paraguay 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Karla Carrillo, Miss Mexico 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Angelika Jakubowska, Miss Poland 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Avalon Chanel Weyzig, Miss Netherlands 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Diana Broce, Miss Panama 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Joy Lasic, Miss Argentina 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Larissa Costa, Miss Brazil 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Larissa Costa, Miss Brazil 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Miss Universe '09: Contestant Joannabelle Ng, Miss Malayasia 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Karen Schwarz, Miss Peru 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Rachel Kum, Miss Singapore 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Essi Poysti, Miss Finland 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Chutima Durongdej, Miss Thailand 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Chutima Durongdej, Miss Thailand 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Sofia Rudyeva, Miss Russia 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Martina Lee, Miss Germany 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Nelsa Alves, Miss Angola 2009, on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Clair Cooper, Miss Great Britain 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Estibaliz Pereira Rabade, Miss Spain 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Emiri Miyasaka, Miss Japan 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Mayella Mena, Miss El Salvador 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition on Paradise Island, Bahamas. (REUTERS)

Michelle Rouillard, Miss Colombia 2009, on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Dominique Peltier, Miss Bolivia 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition at ATLANTIS, Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (REUTERS)

Ada Aimee De la Cruz, Miss Dominican Republic 2009, on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Estibaliz Pereira Rabade, Miss Spain 2009, on Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (AP/Darren Decker)

Larissa Costa, Miss Brazil 2009, poses in her swimsuit during the 2009 Miss Universe competition at ATLANTIS, Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 6, 2009. (REUTERS)

Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009, poses for a photographer at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Bianca Manalo, Miss Philippines 2009, poses for a photographer at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Ada Aimee De la Cruz, Miss Dominican Republic 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Zivanna Letisha Siregar, Miss Indonesia 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Julia Dyment, Miss Israel 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Yen Vo, Miss Vietnam 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Renate Cerljen, Miss Sweden 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Michelle Rouillard, Miss Colombia 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 4, 2009. (REUTERS)

Wang Jingyao, Miss China 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 3, 2009. (REUTERS)

Mayra Matos, Miss Puerto Rico 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 3, 2009. (REUTERS)

Chole Mortaud, Miss France 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 3, 2009. (REUTERS)

Eli Landa, Miss Norway 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 3, 2009. (REUTERS)

Belgica Suarez, Miss Honduras 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 3, 2009. (REUTERS)

Klelia Yiasemidou, Miss Cyprus 2009 at Atlantis on Paradise Island in preparation for the the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas on August 3, 2009. (REUTERS)