Miss Russian San Francisco 2017

The fourth annual Miss Russian San Francisco pageant and gala event celebrated Russian talent, beauty, and culture in the Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on September 8th. An enthusiastic audience watched as nine stunning women competed for the title of Miss Russian San Francisco 2017. Judges rated each contestant in four categories that included a pre-produced video introduction, live swimsuit and evening gown segments, and an on-the-spot Q&A.

Scenes from Miss Russian San Francisco 2017:

(left to right): Second runner-up Diana Golyadkina, pageant founder Karina Zakharov, Miss Russian San Francisco 2017 Maria Zhukovskaya, and first runner-up Akmaral Duisenbekkyzy Photo: Jeffrey Hipona

Second runner-up Diana Golyadkina congratulates Miss Russian San Francisco 2017 Maria Zhukovskaya Photo: Jeffrey Hipona

Miss Russian San Francisco 2017 Swimsuit Competition (left to right): Maria Zhukovskaya, Anastasia Shirokova, Diana Golyadkina, Anastasia Zarko, Akhmaral Duisenbekkyzy, Aleksandra Belousova, Dina Sitdikova Photo: Andreas Zhou

Miss Russian California Olga Sigmundson with Anastasia Shirokova, winner of most photogenic in the Miss Russian San Francisco pageant 2017 Photo: Jeffrey Hipona

Backstage at Miss Russian San Francisco 2017 Photo: Jeffrey Hipona

Pageant Results:

1. Miss Russian San Francisco 2017: Maria Zhukovskaya, age 33, from Krasnodar, Russia. Miss Zhukovskaya is a professional dancer and owner of the Mari Dansé Dance Studio. In 2014 she won the world champion title for chachacha.
2. 1st Runner-up: Akmaral Duisenbekkyzy, age 29, from Almaty, Kazakhstan
3. 2nd Runner-up: Diana Golyadkina, age 22, from Donetsk, Ukraine

The event program celebrated Russian culture with performances from singer George Komsky, dancers from the Firebird Dance Studio, and Eric Rosenberg and Yelena Vayn.

Vasily Vein, Elena Slivnyak, Aleksandr Druz, Mañana Kozlova, Olga Sigmundson, Sasha Zvereva Photo: Jeffrey Hipona

Yelena Vayn and Eric Rosenberg Photo: Willow Crystal

Singer George Komsky Photo: Jeffrey Hipona

Performers from Firebird Dance Studio Photo: Andreas Zhou

Miss Rusian San Francisco Founder and Producer Karina Zakharov is an independent project manager. She is committed to uniting the local community of expats from numerous Russian speaking countries and to spreading the richness and zest of Russian culture.

Miss Russian San Francisco 2017 Judges:

• Aleksandr Druz – A prominent veteran contestant of the famous Russian TV gameshow What? Where?When?
• Manana Kozlova – Founder of Deluxe Sightseeing Tours
• Olga Sigmundson – Miss Russian California 2017
• Elena Slivnyak – Project Runway finalist, celebrity fashion and costume designer
• Vasily Vein – Fashion designer and founder of Vasily Vein Art Design
• Sasha Zvereva – Russian pop singer and fashion designer

Masters of Ceremonies:

• Ulyana Zilbermints – Miss Russian San Francisco 2016
• Moses Strizhaus – Professional MC and entertainer

Miss Russian San Francisco 2017 also served as a fundraiser for Global Conservation with funds designated for tiger protection in Primorye, Russia.

— Vivi Andrijani, Red Carpet Bay Area contributor and sponsor

— Jeffrey Hipona, Photographer

— Related — Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of Miss Russian San Francisco 2016