Miss Canada is new Miss Universe

Natalie Glebova was crowned Miss Universe 2005 on Tuesday, ahead of Puerto Rico's Cynthia Olavarria. Miss Universe 2005: HT Special Coverage

A stunned Natalie Glebova of Canada was crowned Miss Universe 2005 on Tuesday, beating out four finalists from Latin America in a pageant watched by an estimated one billion people in 170 countries.

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Brown-haired and blue-eyed Glebova, a 23-year-old motivational speaker, was born in Russia but emigrated to Toronto as a young girl, 11 years ago.

She won the beauty pageant ahead of Puerto Rico's Cynthia Olavarria, who was first runner-up.

"I feel like this is all happening too fast and it's unreal," a beaming and breathless Glebova told reporters as she waved a Canadian flag.

She said she planned to use her role as Miss Universe to raise awareness and money for HIV/AIDS research.

Eighty-one women took part in the glitzy event, which was paused for a moment of silence for victims of last December's tsunami disaster.

The women vying for the world's most coveted tiara took to the stage at an arena in suburban Bangkok in the early morning, broadcast live to a Monday evening audience in the Americas.

Glebova was the only non-Latina among the five finalists, alongside Olavarria, Renata Sone of the Dominican Republic, Mexico's Laura Elizondo and Monica Spear of Venezuela.

She was chosen by a panel of 12 judges, who included six Americans and Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins of Australia. Bookmakers had ranked women from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Glebova, as favorites to take the crown.

Producers insisted the show, suffering from sagging ratings, would be more glamourous this year compared to previous pageants, yet the silliness crept in, with one of the hosts driven on stage in a three-wheeled "tuk tuk", a local taxi, and another riding an elephant through the crowd.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in the audience, having delayed his weekly cabinet meeting to attend the pageant.

The US-run competition is being held in Thailand five months after giant waves devastated coastlines around the Indian Ocean and killed more than 217,000 people. About 5,400 died in Thailand, half of them foreign holidaymakers, and more than 2,800 remain missing.

Organisers held a "moment of respect" just before a television commercial where the arena's lights dimmed as some 5,000 guests held up small lights to represent a candle-filled sea.

"We couldn't do the show without having a moment of remembrance," Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organisation, said. "One message that needs to come across is that Thailand has moved on."

Contestants showcased the country's recovery from the tsunami in an effort to convince tourists it is safe to return to the Land of Smiles.

Footage of their trip to Thai islands hard-hit by the waves aired during the show. The government here has made no secret of its hope that the pageant will reverse its sagging tourism fortunes.

The contestants began the event in costumes based on their national dress, and were quickly whittled down to 15 quarter-finalists who paraded in evening gowns before the judges.

Then 10 semi-finalists stepped out in silk scarves, high heels and white swimsuits, before the five finalists endured a live interview involving questions written by each other.

The pageant is co-owned by US broadcaster NBC and New York property tycoon Donald Trump.

The United States has produced the most winners with seven, while Puerto Rico and Venezuela each have four crowns and Sweden three.

The Philippines, Thailand and India each have two titles.

Three special awards were also given:

Best National Dress: Miss Thailand, Chananporn Rosjan

Miss Photogenic: Miss Philippines, Gionna Cabrera

Miss Congeniality: Miss US Virgin Islands, Tricia Homer