Sports Illustrated annual swimsuit model edition hit newsstands and while there are many beautiful girls gracing the pages, we decided to do our very own countdown of the top 5 models. The beautiful Irina Shayk snagged the coveted cover of this year’s magazine, but she was not our top pick. Check out who we decided deserved the number one spot and why.

1. Cintia Dicker

Cintia, 24, was born in Campo Bom, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, but is of German descent. She has appeared in campaigns for Tom Ford, Ann Taylor, Yves Saint Laurent and Victoria’s Secret. She has been a cover model for Elle, Madame Figaro and Brazilian Vogue/Teen Vogue magazines. This is Cintia’s third appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Citnia is our top pick because she is sexy, unique, and has that “thing.” If you are not sure what that “thing” is, click here to check out more photos of her and we are sure it will come to you.

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2. Irina Shayk

2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Model Irina Shayk, 24, is a native of Emangelynsk City, Russia. She was discovered in 2004 while on a three-day train ride from Chelyabinsk to Moscow. Since then, Irina has been featured in Intimissimi, Lacoste and Guess campaigns. This is Irina’s fifth appearance in the Swimsuit Issue.

For those that didn’t know Irina boyfriend is Cristiano Ronaldo, th? highest-paid soccer player ?n th? world.

3. Alyssa Miller

Alyssa, 20, was born in Los Angeles, Calif., and signed with a modeling agency at age 15. She has appeared on the cover of German Vogue and Italian Elle, and has been featured in campaigns for Diesel and Guess. This is Alyssa’s first appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

4. Brooklyn Decker

Brooklyn, 23, was born in Middletown, Ohio, and raised in Charlotte, N.C. She was discovered at age 16 in a mall, and began her career as the face of Mauri Simone. She has been featured in Teen Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan, FHM and Glamour as well as in campaigns for Gap, Intimissimi and Victoria’s Secret and in music videos for Jimmy Buffett and 3 Doors Down. This is Brooklyn’s sixth Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue appearance.

5. Jessica White

Jessica, 26, traveled from her hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., to New York City at age 14 to begin modeling. She later moved to Paris and did shows for Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Chloe and others. She has appeared in publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue U.S. and Vogue Italia and in campaigns for Cover Girl, Maybelline, Chloe and The Gap. Jessica is the first African-American model to appear in seven Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues.

For the complete photo spreads of our top 5 and to see who didn’t make out list visit SportsIllustrated.cnn.com/.