WASHINGTON (AFP) - Miss New York Kira Kazantsev was crowned the new Miss America late Sunday, the third straight victory for the Empire State in the national beauty pageant.

Outgoing Miss America Nina Davuluri, also from New York, presented the crown to Kazantsev after the competition at Atlantic City, New Jersey's Boardwalk Hall.

Kazantsev, 22, named protecting women against domestic violence as her platform, and said she aims to obtain a juris doctorate and a master's degree in business administration.

An honour student, she hopes to pursue a career in international diplomacy, according to the Miss America organisation.

The first runner-up was Miss Virginia Courtney Paige Garrett.

The other top five finalists were Miss Arkansas Ashton Jo Campbell, Miss Florida Victoria Cowen and Miss Massachusetts Lauren Kuhn.