Regatta50: Miss Regatta 2023 |28 August 2023

EMMALINE CONTORET … Miss Regatta 2023 (Photo: Sunny Esparon)

Emmaline Contoret crowned Miss Regatta

Emmaline Contoret, 24 was on Saturday evening crowned Miss Regatta 2023 ahead of nine other contestants. The beautiful Ms Contoret also won the Miss Talent, Best Swimwear and Best Catwalk prizes on the night.

One of the main features of the annual Regatta event, the pageant was forced to take a hiatus after the devastating effects of Covid-19 which halted the annual Regatta for over three years. After the resurgence, the exciting and exuberant crowd awaited to see who would be crowned the new Miss Regatta of 2023.

The show comprised three segments – casual wear, swimwear and evening wear – as well as several performances. The glamorous and occasionally seductive show started off with a jungle-inspired dance whereby all the contestants were dressed up not unlike Hawaiian girls.

Sandra, a seasoned female singer on the music scene in Seychelles, kicked off the event by giving the crowd notice of what was to come throughout the night and this was followed by a chorus of cheers as if the people were finally relishing the chance to let out all their pent up joy from the last three years.

Following another performance by Mercenary, contestants Anisha Louys (C1), Fatima Rose (C2), Aniella Chetty (C3), Shannon Estro (C4), Diane Ernesta (C5), Sylvie Rose (C6), Zelka Bistoquet (C7), Maresa Labonte (C8), Emmaline Contoret (C9) and Maitena Tirant (C10) took to the stage in their casual wear and later in swimwear.

After an energetic performance from Xtra Big, the contestants were once again called back for the evening wear. All 10 contestants received from the Round Table a prize for their bravery for showing up on stage.

The evening wear round was followed by the Miss People's Choice award which was awarded to Diane Ernesta (C5) who also won the Miss Flair prize. Miss Congeniality was awarded to Shannon Estro (C4).

The prize for best project was presented by Roundtable president Alex Freminot and it was awarded to Sylvie Rose (C6). Miss Bloom was awarded to Maitena Tirant (C10) and Miss Creative was won by Fatima Rose (C2). The best evening wear was awarded to Aniella Chetty (C3) for her beautiful dress that was meticulously crafted and well handled. Zelka Bistoquet (C7) clinched the Miss Photogenic prize.

The evening continued with performances from Ruben that fired up the seemingly exhausted crowd, to get them back into the flow of the evening and to prevent burn-out. Meanwhile, the judges deliberated over the top five finalists – Diane Ernesta, Sylvie Rose, Shannon Estro, Zelka Bistoquet and of course the eventual winner on the night, Emmaline Contoret.

The five finalists were then required to answer questions submitted by the judges before the final deliberations. Among the themes explored were leadership within the community, how the winner would spend the prize money, the power to change one thing in the country and whether or not social media is good or evil.

All contestants had the crowd roaring as they comfortably answered their respective questions. Emmaline Contoret's question was what one thing she would change in Seychelles if she was given absolute power, to which she replied: "It would be the number of sexual harassment cases in the country. Men should respect women more." The answer was met by thunderous applause from the crowd along with cheering and screeching.

As the judges deliberated on the final verdict, Family Crew put on a gymnastic-inspired performance which consisted of various dance moves and huge leaps and bounds. Meticulous Band, which had begun the pre-show, also began singing some classic reggae, notably Bob Marley's One Love, which got the crowd in a zen-like relaxed state of mind after being fired up from earlier. This continued for a while but eventually the crowd grew restless, shouting to know who the eventual winner was. The judges took their time, going over every detail. Finally, when the masters of ceremonies, Emily and Origi both came back on the stage, the crowd would finally get what they wanted.

Sylvie Rose (C6) was crowned second princess securing a bouquet of flowers, a three-month gym membership, dinner at Del Place Restaurant, various vouchers, one night stay at Coco d'Or, complimentary photo session and the cash prize of R1500 and R2500 from various sponsors.

Zelka Bistoquet (C7) was crowned first princess securing a bouquet of flowers, a three-month gym voucher, swimwear, complimentary photo session, R1000 voucher and R500 credit at Gran Kaz, a cash prize of R2000 and another cash prize of R3500 from various sponsors.

Emmaline Contoret was finally crowned Miss Regatta of 2023 to a defeating cheer from the crowd. Miss Regatta of 2019, Emilie Esparon crowned Ms Contoret. Among her prizes were vouchers from various sponsors, dinner at various restaurant establishments, R2000, one swimwear, R1000 credit at Gran Kaz, R3000, complimentary photo session, one return ticket to any destination, 18 karat yellow gold and a cheque for R5000, R7000 cash prize. The winner walked away with a sum prize of R15000.

The Miss Regatta pageant is a platform which provides young women with opportunities to acquire new skills, build their confidence and fellowship in a diverse group while working towards the good of the community through projects initiated by the Seychelles Round Table.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION after the event, Ms Contoret stated that she felt amazing to be the winner and that it was unexpected. "I am so grateful for this opportunity," she stated.

In regards to what set her out amongst the other contestants, she replied that she gave her best on stage and her positive energy was radiating. "The future now, I hope it helps me get more opportunities and open more doors and I get to network with a lot of people. I'm going to do my best to support the Roundtable and its causes. I'm so excited," she stated.

She concluded by urging any of the girls who want to join Miss Regatta next year, to be brave and do so. "It is a great journey, it develops you a lot and increases your self-confidence, you'll get a great reward after that."

Sunny Esparon