BANGOR, Maine, October 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A boost to online dating and the world of beauty pageants was recently had in the virtual sphere. A non-traditional beauty competition with a twist was held where the voting body, men from across the globe, and 54 nubile swimsuit contestants from Russia CIS, had the opportunity to mix online and off through a mix of innovative technologies.

Men from the four corners were able to chime in online with their choice for a supreme Post-Soviet beauty in a competition to select Miss Bikini 2009. Brainchild of premiere online dating giant Anastasia International, voting members had the unique and until now rare chance to connect with contestants via email, and to be introduced by phone, video and live chat. An unprecedented prospect of meeting each contestant personally was made available through a live date program as well as an organized romance tour. How many red blooded guys can say they not only judged a beauty contest, but also dated one or more of the competitors?

This contest is one of many pioneering vehicles American and Russian owned Anastasia employs to introduce new couples, and but one of the many fun and exciting contests the company stages several times a year...

The conch finally blew on the tantalizing and close fought online pageant set on Anastasia's virtual beach. Over the last month more than 400,000 votes were recorded as members from around the world eagerly surfed contestants' photos and videos then selected their favorites from the 54 gorgeous bikini-clad ladies.

When the coastal fog cleared, the winner, dazzling Slavic beauty Irina from the Black Sea resort town of Odessa, Ukraine was left to bathe in the sunshine of victory. Ladies like Irina number over 15,000 in Anastasia's registry of Russian and CIS women in search of a romantic connection with a man from the West. Since the contest's mid-September launch, Irina has received over 21,000 votes for the title, more than 1,100 emails of support, and hundreds of phone requests through Anastasia.

In the normal world, beauty queens hope for lucrative modeling careers and Playboy spreads. Here they vie for a successful marriage as do their judges.

To see the complete story behind the contest and this intriguing field see Anastasia's Miss Bikini 2009 at http://www.anastasiamissbikini.com.

Media Contact: Larry Cervantes pr@anastasiadate.com Phone/Fax: +1(207)-262-9595

SOURCE: Anastasia International

CONTACT: Media Contact: Larry Cervantes, pr@anastasiadate.com, Phone/Fax:+1(207)-262-9595