Miss World 2017: Global Beauties First Leaderboard

The Miss World 2017 contest officially kicked off in China today with the arrival of more than a 120 contestants who all have the same dream: becoming the 67th Miss World. Over the next month, the girls will be put through their paces as they compete in a series of fast-tracks and the all new 'Head to Head Challenges'. Forty women will then battle it out for the title, which is currently held by Puerto Rico's Stephanie Del Valle. 

Global Beauties invited a panel of judges to pick our pre-arrival favourites and we have come up with our first list based on their scores. Our judges are from the United States, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia. 

Russia's Polina Popova is currently our favourite. She has been on a lot of fans' radars since she was crowned and we do believe that she will be one to watch, but it's a wide open race this year. Clarissa Bowers from the United States will certainly give Miss Russia a run for her money. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also studying neuroscience, which the Miss World judges will love. Mexico's Andrea Meza has had a year to prepare for this competition and her improvement has been remarkable. She was a raw diamond when she was crowned but we have seen her grow into an even better version of herself this year. A somewhat surprising but lovely choice is the inclusion of Miss Iceland, Olafia Finnsdottir, in our top 5. Iceland has won the crown once before in Sanya. Can they do it again? Rounding out our first fabulous five is Laura Lehmann from the Philippines. Since 2011, this country has been sending amazing women to Miss World and this year is no exception. Like United States, she is being sent by new national directors and both pageants were attended by Julia Morley and the reigning Miss World. It's early days, though. We will post a new leaderboard at the end of next week. Will our judges still believe it will be a battle of these 3 blondes and 2 brunettes or will new favourites start to emerge. Miss World 2017 is on! Who is your number 1 pick for the crown? 

Photos: Miss World Organisation 

Leaderboard designed by Michael Bailey