The Sports Illustrated 2011 Swimsuit Issue

Irina Shayk soaks up the sun on the beaches of Maui as the cover model for the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  Shayk is the first Russian cover model and joins an elite group of Swimsuit models to grace the cover, one that includes Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Heidi Klum, Elle MacPherson, Tyra Banks, Petra Nemcova, Marisa Miller and Brooklyn Decker.  (Sports Illustrated) (AP; Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated)

Model Brooklyn Decker landed the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover last year. The 22-year-old wife of tennis star Andy Roddick said being chosen for the front was "the news of a lifetime." The cover photo of Decker smiling in a yellow bikini is a departure from the more sultry look that SI had gone for the past few years, she said. She compared it to covers from the 1980s or '90s, when Elle Macpherson won her covers with a friendly, sun-loving look. <i><b>Click on for the last decade of covers, which we've organized with a handy little rhyme!</b></i>

In 2009, Bar Rafaeli was quite fine.

In 2008, Marisa Miller sure was great! (Sports Illustrated )

In 2007, Beyonce put us in heaven. (Sports Illustrated )

In 2006, the beach party was pure bliss. (Sports Illustrated )

In 2005, SI kept hope alive. (Sports Illustrated )

In 2004, the SI hall of of fame had us wanting more. (Sports Illustrated )

In 2003, Petra Nemcova brought smiles and glee. Yes, glee. (Sports Illustrated )

In 2002, Yamila didn't make us blue. (Sorry that was a tough rhyme for some reason.) (Sports Illustrated )

In 2001, Elsa Benitez was tons of fun. (Sports Illustrated )

In 2-triple zero, Danila was our hero. (Sports Illustrated )

BONUS COVER! In 1999, Rebecca in chains was super fine. (Sports Illustrated )