This blue-eyed blonde has every reason to be flush with pride – she’s been named America’s Sexiest Plumber.
Lori “Chick” Sardinha-Costa beat out 12 hunky male plumbers to win the honor from American Standard, which makes toilets and bathroom fixtures.
“It’s not quite the beauty contest that I anticipated winning as a child, but it’s definitely still an honor,” Lori, 32, told the Boston Herald.
The beauty from Fall River, Mass., didn’t get a tiara like most pageant winners – instead, she’s been bestowed with a top-of-the-line toilet plunger.
“I’ll actually get more use out of the plunger,” Lori said.
She also wins a trip for two to next month’s Super Bowl.
And sorry, guys, she’s happily married.
The contest began last year when American Standard invited plumbers from across the nation to submit their pictures for a shot at the title – 250 applied.
Lori was the only female among the 13 finalists. Also among them were two plumbers from New York and two from New Jersey.
The company flew all 13 out to Minnesota for a photo shoot, posed them on toilets and put them in a 2005 calendar, asking people to vote online.
“It was quite an honor,” said finalist Seth Breslaw, 29, of Edgewater, N.J.
“The image of plumbers has changed from what it used to be – we go to the gym, we work out and we take care of ourselves.”
While plumbing may not be glamorous, Lori, who works for her family’s business, M. Sardinha & Sons Plumbing and Heating, said she likes to look good on the job.
“I’m female and I’m attractive, and there’s nothing wrong with a female plumber wearing a little lipstick to work.”