Supermodel Bar Refaeli Adorns the Cover of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit

Supermodel Bar Refaeli Adorns the Cover of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue on Newsstands Today!

The 2009 Issue Features 33 Models, 7 Countries and 83 Bikinis; Super Models, Rookie Models, WTA Tennis Stars, NBA Dancers and The World's Fastest Woman Danica Patrick!

The 46th Annual Swimsuit Issue Will Be Read By A World-Wide Audience of 66 Million

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- From the beach on Canouan Island in the Grenadines, supermodel Bar Refaeli graces the cover of the highly anticipated 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue on newsstands today. Refaeli, a three-year veteran of the Swimsuit Issue, is the first Israeli model to land the cover of the coveted magazine. Photographer Raphael Mazzucco, who also photographed the 2008 cover of Marisa Miller, captured the cover photo during a two-day shoot with Refaeli on Canouan Island in the Grenadines.

Refaeli Adorns Swinsuit Cover

Supermodel Bar Refaeli Adorns the Cover of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue on Newsstands Today!

The 2009 Issue Features 33 Models, 7 Countries and 83 Bikinis; Super Models, Rookie Models, WTA Tennis Stars, NBA Dancers and The World's Fastest Woman Danica Patrick!

The 46th Annual Swimsuit Issue Will Be Read By A World-Wide Audience of 66 Million

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- From the beach on Canouan Island in the Grenadines, supermodel Bar Refaeli graces the cover of the highly anticipated 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue on newsstands today. Refaeli, a three-year veteran of the Swimsuit Issue, is the first Israeli model to land the cover of the coveted magazine. Photographer Raphael Mazzucco, who also photographed the 2008 cover of Marisa Miller, captured the cover photo during a two-day shoot with Refaeli on Canouan Island in the Grenadines.

MORE STORIES TO COME................ LATER

Today was an exciting day in the swimwear world. The play book of team bikini came out, The 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. I haven't viewed the hard copy yet- leaving a little something to look forward to.

Of course, being obsessed with swimwear, I went to http://www.sportsillustratedcnn.com/ and looked through all of the pictures. As anticipated, the models are beautiful and have what many of us consider perfect bodies. We're not talking huge differences in body types.

As I studied the photos, I quickly decided there were too many great bikinis to only pick 10 favorites. So, I added some criteria for my first 10 picks:

1. I'm only looking at the style & fit of the suit (Some of my picks didn't fit the model perfectly- but I'm a little critical when it comes to fit)


2. This first 10 is only out of the group of Rookie Models (See headings at http://www.sportsillustratedcnn.com/)


3. The whole suit had to be visible (No separate tops or bottoms etc.- must be the whole suit from one manufacturer)
   

#10 - Model - Hilary Rhoda Swimsuit: Vix Swimwear

Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/


#9 -Model: Hilary Rhoda Swimsuit: Beauty & The Beach
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#8 - Model: Hilary Rhoda Swimsuit: Despi
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#7 - Model: Kim Cloutier Swimsuit: Zoe NYC

Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#6 - Model: Esti Ginzburg Swimsuit: Debbie Wilson for Maui Girl
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#5 - Model: Jessica Hart Swimsuit: Susan Holmes Swimwear
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#4 - Model: Esti Ginzburg Swimsuit: CHIO
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#3 - Model: Kim Cloutier Swimsuit: Kushcush by Kerry Cushman
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#2 - Model: Esti Ginzburg Swimsuit: Despi
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

#1 - Model: Damaris Lewis Swimsuit: Odabash
Image - Courtesy - Sports Illustrated - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

What do you think of my picks? Let me know.