Strathaven stunner on the global stage
Abigail makes top 15 in Miss Intercontinental
A Strathaven beauty queen proudly flew the flag for Scotland in South Asia’s biggest beauty pageant −and finished in the top 15.
Abigail Gilksten recently won the title of Miss Intercontinental Scotland 2016 but fell short in winning the Miss Intercontinental 2016 crown in Sri Lanka on Sunday, October 16, which was won by Miss Puerto Rico, Heilymar Rosario.
However the 23-year-old Australian-born blonde beauty, who is studying dentistry at Dundee University, said that, being her first international competition and only second ever pageant, she was “exceptionally pleased” at making the top 15 against 70 other contestants.
She told the News: “Although I did not take home the crown I was delighted to have placed in the top 15 which I have been told is only the second time a Scottish representative in the pageant’s history has made top 15!
“I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Sri Lanka – some highlights included climbing Sigiriya, seeing elephants at Minneriya National Park, as well as being a part of a large production at Stein Studios.”
She added: “I like to push myself out of my comfort zone regularly and that is partly the reason why I decided to enter the UK Power Pageant in December.
“In July I took home the title of Miss Intercontinental Scotland, which was a great surprise to me as there was around 45 girls in the final.
“The swimwear and evening gown sections were particularly challenging for me as I normally run around in trainers and flat shoes, however, the interview round was a bit more natural as I have had many interviews in order to be able to study for my degree.”
When her head is not in books, Abigail enjoys going to the gym and, with a handicap of 10, she regularly plays golf at Strathaven and Scotscraig golf clubs.
She also captains Dundee University Golf Club and, through her local gym, took part in the Relay Wild Triathlon taking home the gold medal for the ladies.
Abigail is also an ambassador for Lanarkshire’s St Andrew’s Hospice and has been helping them fundraise towards their £9m refurbishment project.
She hosted a ‘Wonderland Tea Party’ at the Scout hall in Strathaven to raise funds and, together with a marathon exercise fundraiser, raised £3000 for her chosen charities Over The Wall and the St Andrew’s Hospice Capital Appeal.
Abigail said: “St Andrew’s Hospice is a fantastic local charity offering vital care and support to families from across Lanarkshire.
“The ‘Nine4thirty’ capital appeal aims to raise £9million to refurbish the hospice building as it’s 30 years old.
“To make a donation text NINE30 £5 to 70070.”
Aside from Abigail, contestants from Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Ghana, Seychelles, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine also made it to the top 15.