Super-Hair World Cup III

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RED(HEAD), WHITE AND BLUE - TWO FOR TWO!!

When we opened the site for candidates in Super-Hair World Cup III in early 2010, two predictable names were submitted to represent the United States. We decided the national "bench" was deep enough that the defending Cup champion should have the right to defend her title -- and did Angie Everhart ever prove us right. A seven-match undefeated run earns the model and actress (and by extension the U.S.A.) back-to-back World Cup championships!

Shortly before qualifying began, we discovered Everhart had lost more than 30 pounds on NutriSystem. That apparently put her and her award-winning red hair in fighting shape -- because Everhart handed Bonnie Bernstein her worst head-to-head loss ever at Super-Hair, followed by a hard-fought win over undefeated "hair apparent" Victoria Warren.

Much like 2006, Everhart was pushed to extra time in the playoffs - but she escaped Mexico's Jacky Bracamontes in the semifinals. Then she conquered one-time Miss Lithuania Vaida Petraskaite in the finals by a 63-percent margin, although one voter called the choice a "no lose situation." Bracamontes had to settle for third place, comfortably topping Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic in the Consolation Final with a 73-percent majority.

The 16 nations in the World Cup field were set by international tournaments and qualifying rounds since 2007, with only one top hairstyle carrying her nation's colors into action. After two National Qualifying Weeks, six weeks of round-robin group play turned out this way....

RED GROUP

MEXICO: JACKY BRACAMONTES

A TV actress who finished second in the 2007 Cup of the Americas swept an international group for the second time, and with a shorter style than before. A fierce comeback in the semifinals brought a tie and 12 hours' extra time, but ended just short.

Mexico 11 points, Iran (Claudia Lynx) 5, Puerto Rico (Zuleyka Rivera) 5, Australia (Orianthi Pangaris) 0.

BLUE GROUP

UNITED STATES: ANGIE EVERHART

The defending World Cup champion proved she's not past her prime -- defeating both Bonnie Bernstein and Victoria Warren in national qualifying, then sweeping her group.

United States 12 points, Belgium (Halima Chehaima) 5, Oman (Denise Ellison) 2, Colombia (Shakira) 0.

GREEN GROUP

LITHUANIA: VAIDA PETRAŠKAITÉ

A Miss World pageant contestant defeated Jurgita Jurkute in national qualifying, then dominated a group voters considered the "strongest from top to bottom.... so good, it's ridiculous!" But strong challenges in the playoffs eventually wore her hair down.

Lithuania 14 points, Greece (Aikaterini Evangelinou) 8, Spain (Penélope Cruz) 5, India (Padma Lakshmi) 0.

ORANGE GROUP

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: AMELIA VEGA

Miss Universe 2003 is now an actress, singer and jewelry designer. She made a strong return from obscurity, and rallied from behind in Match 5 to clinch the group. While critics considered her group weak, she gave Lithuania her toughest test yet in the semifinals.

Dominican Republic 10 points, Canada (Avril Lavigne) 5, Netherlands (Doutzen Kroes) 4, Kuwait (Rola Dashti) 0.

SUPER-HAIR NATIONAL RANKINGS AFTER WORLD CUP III:

1. United States 2. Lithuania 3. Mexico 4. Dominican Republic 5. Greece

6. Iran 7. Belgium 8. Canada 9. Netherlands 10. Spain

11. Puerto Rico 12. Oman 13. Australia 14. Kuwait 15. Colombia

For results, standings, schedules and a review of qualifying rounds, click here.

Previous Tournaments: World Cup II (2006) World Cup I (2002)

PHOTO CREDITS: Vega courtesy Facebook; Everhart courtesy NutriSystem.

Some flags courtesy ITA's Flags of All Countries; used with permission

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