Zahra Miss Jamaica Universe 2007, Zahra Redwood, is now ranked 19th in the race to capture the Miss Universe title.

The ranking, which appears on globalbeauties.com's 'Starting Grid', is an improvement over last week's number 22 ranking.

The grid lists the beauties who are in the most favourable positions to cop the coveted title. There are 77 contestants in this year's pageant.

In Wednesday's update, Spain's Natalia Zabala Arroyo, now ranked at number two, was overtaken for first position by Greece's Doukissa Nomikou.

Venezuela's Ly Jonaitis is still ranked at number three, with Japan's Riyo Mori at fourth and Tanzania's Flaviana Matala in fifth position. It is Japan's first time in the top five of the Starting Grid this year.

Zahra and Tanzania's Flaviana Matala have garnered a lot of attention for their unconventional looks at the beauty pageant. While Zahra is the first Rastafarian contender, Flaviana is bald-headed. Both are black women from developing countries. Both reportedly get great crowd reactions during public appearances.

The Miss Universe pageant will be held May 28 in Mexico.

- A.R.

The Starting Grid:

1.Greece

2. Spain

3. Venezuela

4. Japan

5. Tanzania

6. USA

7. Mexico

8. Slovenia

9. Serbia

10. Estonia

11. Paraguay

12. Italy

13. South Africa

14. India and Korea (tie)

16. Brazil

18. Bolivia and Russia (tie)

19. Jamaica

20. Ukraine

21. Peru

22. Angola

- A.R.

1.Greece

2. Spain

3. Venezuela

4. Japan

5. Tanzania

6. USA

7. Mexico

8. Slovenia

9. Serbia

10. Estonia

11. Paraguay

12. Italy

13. South Africa

14. India and Korea (tie)

16. Brazil

18. Bolivia and Russia (tie)

19. Jamaica

20. Ukraine

21. Peru

22. Angola

The Starting Grid