Miss America Nancy takes the coveted laurels in the Beach Beauty final in Sanya November 14, 2004. (Xinhua Photo)

Miss United States, Nancy Randall (C), takes the Beach Beauty title, while Miss Australia Sara Janette Davies (R) comes second and Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Kenisha Nalisha Finta Thom, comes third. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The 2004 Miss World pageant kicks off on Sunday in Sanya, a picturesque tropical city in southern Chinese province of Hainan.

    The event started with the Beach Beauty final, in which contestants in swimsuits from 120 countries paraded on the white sand, and Miss United States, Nancy Randall, finally took the coveted laurels.

    Randall took the honour, while Miss Australia Sara Janette Davies came second and Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Kenisha Nalisha Finta Thom, came third.

    The beachwear final marks the start of the public vote and shows the competition for Miss World 2004 is truly underway. Enditem

(Agencies)