Catrina in Euro battle of beauties

LOOKING poised and elegant in her lemon halter neck evening dress, the stunning Catrina Supple floated across the stage of the Pavilion Baltard last night, hoping to be the first Irish beauty to be crowned Miss Europe.

For 20-year-old model Catrina, from Youghal, Co Cork, it marked the culmination of a gruelling six weeks of preparation, but the catwalk is now something she takes in her stride.

“I represented Ireland in Miss World last year in South Africa and that was a fantastic experience. I’m working as a model full-time now, so I don’t get nervous anymore,” said Catrina.

Although hosted in Disneyland Paris, this was no Mickey Mouse contest. Catrina was competing for the title against 38 other beauties.

Among the Irish contingent cheering her on were her parents, Kay and Art, as well as boyfriend Gearóid Costelloe, a racehorse trainer from Ennis.

Kay was delighted to see her daughter was displaying little sign of nervousness. “There is not the same pressure like there was for Miss World. She seems to be really relaxed and getting on with all the girls,” said Kay.

Catrina has been getting great support from her family since she was crowned Miss Ireland in 2001.

“My parents are great and they even came to South Africa to see me in the Miss World contest. It is brilliant to have them here in Paris,” she said.

An estimated 5,000 guests attended the pageant, which was broadcast live on TFI, France’s national television station.