Miss Alsace wins Miss France title

A MANAGEMENT student from Alsace has been voted Miss France 2012.

Delphine Wespiser, 19, said she felt proud on behalf of the people of her region, adding: “I would like to encourage people, especially the young, to take a bit more interest in their regional heritage and their regional language” – before finishing off her winner’s speech in Alsacian.

She also said she hoped to promote values of defence of animals.

Her dauphines (deputies) will be the candidates from Pays de la Loire, Réunion, Provence and the Côte d’Azur.

Miss Wespiser is the second Miss France to be elected since last year’s acrimonious split between long-time organiser and presenter Geneviève de Fontenay and current owners Endemol.

De Fontenay was ordered by a judge not to run a rival contest as she did last year; however one went ahead anyway, in her conspicuous absence. Christelle Roca, 21, Miss Cerdagne-Roussillon, was voted “Miss Prestige National” in a competition that was held via Facebook and its own website www.mamiss2012.com