A blonde Playboy showgirl has won the crown of Playmate Bulgaria 2006 in hot rivalry with eleven finalists in the third edition of the contest.

Playmate Bulgaria featured all the girls of local Playboy's cover for the last year, but 18-year-old Nikoleta Lozanova reaped most success - and votes.

But the preferences have obviously shifted at large since the previous competition, as Playmate 2005 was brunette Albena Petrova.

The contest which ran along the flower alleys of Boyana Residence was not a typical beauty pageant. Instead of conquering the catwalk, the girls had to "ride the bull", which was of crucial importance for the final decision of the jury.

For riding skills a special title was awarded during the event - "Sexiest rider", to Mariela Mavrova.

Organisers from Playboy magazine recorded an ever increasing interest in the contest on the side of Bulgarian women, as through it they hope to gain popularity and become showbiz icons.

Much of that is due to the success of first Playmate winner in 2004 Madlen Peneva, whose modelling career saw a major boost after the crown sat on her head.

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