LIMA, Peru -- An 18-year-old Canadian fresh out of high school, Karen Dianne Baldwin, was crowned Miss Universe 1982 before a disappointed crowd of South American spectators.
'It is nothing but a dream come true,' said an emotional Miss Baldwin, the first Canadian to win the contest, as she accepted the traditional crown -- which was then nearly knocked off her head by a rush of cameramen.
'Don't leave me,' she shouted to a guard. Escorted safely to the wings, the new Miss Universe said, 'Thank God I'm still alive.'
Miss U.S.A., Terri Utley, 20, of Cabot, Ark., who had told reporters she preferred not to win, got her wish. She finished in fourth Monday in the finals of the international beauty competition.
The contest was a let-down for Peruvians who jammed Lima's Amauta Coliseum, a 30-year-old bullfighting ring specially renovated for the event.
When it became clear there would be no South American entrants among the five finalists, the disappointed crowd shouted 'Brazil, Brazil,' and 'Peru, Peru,' calling for two semifinalists who were particular favorites with the audience.
'It was a momentary emotional reaction,' said Peruvian Prime Minister Manuel Ulloahe afterward. 'Everyone likes to see the hometown favorite win.' The panel of judges included two Peruvians, but was dominated by Americans.
Miss Guam, Patty Chang Kerkos, was the first runner-up. Besides Miss Utley, the other finalists were Miss Italy, Cinzia Fiordeponti, and Miss Greece, Tina Roussou.
Miss England, Della Dolan, raised eyebrows when she admitted in her television interview preferring English men to Latins. As the crowd jeered and whistled, the blonde Miss Dolan admitted, 'I guess I said the wrong thing.'
The 1982 Miss Universe, the chestnut-haired daughter of a real estate agency president and a real estate broker from Ontario, graduated from high school only a few months ago.
She plans to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City to study marketing and finance and hopes someday to run her own fashion business.
The green-eyed Miss Baldwin is 5 feet, 10 inches and weighs 119 lbs. Contest officials no longer publicize the measurements of entrants.
Miss Utley had said earlier this week she did not want to win the contest, claiming 'Just being Miss U.S.A., I can achieve my goals. I can develop myself better and faster in my own country.'
As Miss Universe 1982, Miss Baldwin will receive more than $150,000 in cash and prizes, plus a New York City apartment, a custom-tailored mink coat, diamond and gold jewelry and an outboard motor boat.
