Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Newly crowned Miss Jamaica World Brittany Lyons is flanked by second runner-up Marsha-Gay Reynolds (right) and Jade Grant, first runner-up. Occasion was Miss Jamaica World Grand Coronation Show held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, on Saturday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

While Jamaicans on Saturday basked in the Olympic victory of their newest sprint king, a new queen was chosen in the ballroom of the Hilton Kingston hotel.

Nineteen-year-old Brittany Lyons was crowned Miss Jamaica World.

Lyons, who topped 15 other contestants, was one of the crowd favourites. She went one better than her mother, Marie-Claire Lyons, who was a runner-up in the 1976 contest won by Cindy Breakespeare.

Runners-up

Jade Grant was first runner-up and Marsha-Gay Reynolds, second runner-up.

The new queen was flocked by family and well-wishers shortly after she was crowned by last year's winner, Yendi Phillipps. She was surprised about her win.

"I am just really and truly couldn't believe, I thought they were wrong when they announced it, I am just so overwhelmed," she said.

Lyons says she wants to follow in Phillipps' footsteps and work with children. She commented, "I want to make as many positive changes as possible, following in Yendi's footsteps she's someone I've known a long time."

The show had an Olympic theme, 'In Search of Gold'. The contestants paraded in gold bikinis, with Lyons, Chakka Laguerre and Yanique Levy clear crowd favourites.

In the question-and-answer segment, most contestants fumbled. Laguerre and Sydonie McBane stood out, addressing the rise in gas prices and poverty in Jamaica.

Lyons also copped the 'Beach Beauty' award while Monique Daley won the SoftSheen Model Title. Yanique Levy took the Miss Jamaica World Sports Award and Raecine Williams copped the 'Beauty with a Purpose' title.

While Lyons had a lot of support, there were those who thought Laguerre was cheated out of a top- three place. Some patrons cried "its robbery", "dem tief"; others believed Williams deserved a top- three spot.

The event was co-hosted by Denise Hunt and Adrian Atkinson. There were performances from the Stella Maris creative dance troupe, singer/poet Angel as well as 'Soul 4 Soul' from Montego Bay.

The contestants modelled designs by Neah Lish as well as daring cuts from Uzuri International which provided eveningwear.

Long-standing pageant supporter Alvin Campbell and organiser Mickey Haughton-James were honoured during the evening.