Beautiful Bianca wows Switzerland: what goes into the making of Miss Switzerland? What is in store for Bianca Sissing--Miss Switzerland 2003/04? Swiss News gets the details.

It wasn't too long back that Bianca Sissing hit news headlines in Switzerland. Not simply because she's been crowned Miss Switzerland; or that she's dark haired with a relatively dusky complexion and simple, pleasant looks; but also because she was born to a Swiss and a South African couple and raised in Canada More recently, she has taken print space as being one of the first Miss Switzerland to have a decent chance at winning the Miss World title in December (in China).

What does the 24-year-old Bianca Sissing have to say regarding her "Swiss-ness" her win, days before the crowning and after, and her plans for the future?

With a calm and confident air about her, she gives us some answers.

On Her "Swiss-ness"

"Well, I am Swiss. I was born and brought up in Canada and am studying to be a psychologist there, but my father is Swiss. I speak the language and have been coming here every Christmas and every summer, year after year. I've also worked for a while in Luzern. My boyfriend is here. And now, I intend to move back to Switzerland and do my Masters in Child Psychology from Zurich," says the soft-spoken Sissing.

The Crowning

"I was very surprised to win the crown. And, of course, very happy! I feel proud of being able to represent the country at the Miss World pageant in December. There, the competition will he tougher; and I think I have good chances," she says; a quiet confidence ringing in her tone of voice.

Before and After the Title

"A friend of my boyfriend's suggested I participate in this pageant. So I did! I had no training really, other than the experience I've had by way of ramp modelling," says Sissing, adding, "I did however have a four-day fitness routine, including jogging and strength training. Also, I eat healthy." And the evidence of that, one can see on radiant face and sleek figure.

Then came the week of preparation, organised by the Miss Schweiz Organisation AG (Miss Switzerland Organisation Ltd.), which included choreography for the main event, fittings with clothes, a brief introduction to what the pageant is all about, a quick expert comment on the walks and poses through the rehearsals.

After being crowned Miss Switzerland, Sissing has been flocked with press conferences. interview appointments, photo and video shoots, TV appearances, autograph-signing events and more. "I would like to continue modelling in the international arena for a year or so, before I get back to studies," she says. And five years down the line? Well, for some it may be too soon to tall, but, says Bianca, "I'd like to be married and have my first child. Professionally, I'd see myself working as a child psychologist with children having behavioural problems."

But at the moment, her focus is the forthcoming Miss Worm pageant. She is set to leave for China for the Miss World Contest on November 6. If she wins the title, life for Bianca Sissing will take a turn towards more glamour, charity-for-a-cause events and all that goes with the crown. If not, she will head to Quito, Ecuador, for the Miss Universe 2004 contest.

The Makings of a Miss World

Sissing is perhaps one of the first Miss Switzerland's who, to many --including those at Miss Switzerland Organisation Ltd.--comes across as a young woman with the right attitude and potential to get the coveted crown. "She's confident but shy. If people don't know her, they would think Karina Berger, who oversees and supports the candidates. She has also formerly been crowned Miss Switzerland 1988 and has been a member of Miss Switzerland Organization Ltd. for sometime.

"Bianca handles her press conferences well. She's had prior modelling experience, too. Also, she can express herself in English, which is a big positive, as, many a times, translators can be misrepresent and misunderstood," adds Berger.

Till date, no Swiss has brought home the Miss World or the Miss Universe crowns. Why, you ask? Berger is quick to respond, "You see, the girls can't seem to take more time off from their work for training. Most of them are into pageants for the first time. We just have one week (or a bit more) together with the final contestants when we have fittings, briefings on their introductions, and rehearsals for the choreography, photo and video shoots. These girls usually come out of totally naive surroundings. They have natural talents that need to be honed. But we have no budget, no sponsors for training and not enough time. Somehow, the contest is still not seen as an event of prestige where these girls are country representatives at the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants! We need a change in attitude."

Changing Attitudes

But then, times have changed since when Karina Berger walked tall with the crown. She laughs, "Oh yes, I'd say it's an immense change from 1988. Then, I feel the organisers were too conservative. For instance, I was made to focus and talk on charity--something that at the age of 17, I'd never done! I was saying stuff I hadn't a clue of! Now it's different. The intention is to encourage the girls to be natural and speak their minds. Back then," she continues, "we didn't have so many sponsors for the show, hair dressers or a car to keep. The media coverage was not so intense either. There were too many feminists then, who considered the pageant a weakness. Today, I see the image changing. I see it as being a powerful. The winner is frequently on television, there are live broadcasts and she earns an annual gross of CHF 400,000."

What is now required for Miss Switzerland to be walk away a whiner at the Miss World / Miss Universe platform is a touch more of self-confidence, the ability to cast away her robe of modesty from her talents and skills--talk about them, without seeming to obnoxiously flaunt them, and to look at herself as being part of a global event with a tag of prestige attached to it.

Let's see if Bianca Sissing can make her mark for Switzerland this time.

Interested in Participating?

Karina Berger of Miss Switzerland Organisation Ltd. tells Swiss News the procedure of participating in the pageant:

"We first make an announce for those interested in participation to apply. Usually, we get some 400 to 500 applicants a year. Of these, a jury selects 100 and calls them to the of the to look at them, re-measure heights and for interviews with a panel of eight judges. From among the 100, 14 girls are selected. In addition to these finalists, we also have the winners of the Miss Bern and Miss Suisse Romande contest. So the total number of participants for the Miss Switzerland contest adds up to 16. After the pageant, the crowned girl represents Switzerland at both the Miss World and Miss Universe contests. (And if she wins the first pageant, the first runner-up at the Miss Switzerland contest is sent to the latter pageant)."

The process is fairly clear. But before any of you begin to really apply for the contest, here are the criteria that you have to fulfill.

You should be:

* Swiss

* Between 17 to 24 years of age

* At least 168 cms tall

* Unmarried

* Not a single parent