HUNDREDS of millions of viewers will tune in to watch Londonderry's Laura Patterson compete for the Miss World crown in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Some of the biggest television broadcasters around the world will be televising the Miss World 2009 Final this Saturday, December 12, including E! Entertainment in the United States who boast 600 million home viewers internationally.
Other broadcast
ers include SABC3 in the host country South Africa, CCTV in China, Zee TV in India, Paris Premiere in France, RCTI in Indonesia and Venevision in Venezuela.
Laura remains a good outside bet for the prestigious beauty pageant. Two leading Irish bookmakers are both offering good value odds of 50-1 on Laura landing the Miss World title at the weekend and following in the footsteps of former Miss Ireland and Miss World, Rosanna Davison - the daughter of popstar Chris De Burgh - who took the crown in 2003.
Nicola McGeady, of Boylesports, said the odds on Laura had lengthened from 33-1 to 50-1 since the start of November and that the Stoneypath law student is very much an outside bet at this stage.
Sharon McHugh, of Paddy Power, echoed this saying the Londonderry lass is not being heavily backed to win the competition.
"Ireland are definite outsiders this year!" she said. "We're 50/1 on Miss Ireland."
Elsewhere the heavily backed favourite Miss Puerto Rico is shaping up to be a bookies nightmare if she wins the Miss World crown.
But other contestants have also had their odds dramatically shortened following success in preliminary finals.
Ms McGeady explained: "Miss Gibraltar's odds have tumbled after she won the Beach Beauty final - she was 50/1 but has been since cut to 14/1.
"Miss Canada and Miss Sierra Leone came joint first in the talent contest, their odds have been slashed from 50/1 to 20/1 and 60/1 to 20/1 respectively. There has been a surge of support for Miss South Africa over the past week, she is17/2 from 12/1."
Ms McHugh added: "Miss Scotland has been well backed since she came third in the 'each body' sub-contest (20/1). Obviously Puerto Rico has far and away the most stakes (evens).
"Miss Barbados started at 33/1, but is now 9/1 with us. She was actually mentioned on a tipping site which could explain we she's being backed."
Fans of Laura will no doubt take the relatively long odds being offered with a pinch of salt. Those who like a bet may follow the example of proud boyfriend Greg who made a killing on Laura's triumph in the Miss Ireland competition in September when he put £20 on her to take the crown at 20-1.
