Sports Illustrated 2012 Swimsuit Model Issue officially hit newsstands. With so many beautiful girls gracing the pages, like with the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, we decided to do our own countdown. The voluptuous Kate Upton may have snagged the coveted cover of this year’s magazine, but we found 6 additional models that were just as worthy of possibly making the cover. Below are our top 7 picks from this year’s issue.

7. Michelle Vawer

Michelle is uber cute and sexy while maintaining an innocence about herself. A Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2012 Rookie, Michelle was born in Vancouver, Canada and raised in the beautiful island of Kailua, Hawaii. Currently resides in New York City, she has snagged ad campaigns, covers and editorials in the top magazines around the world including Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair and Cosmopolitan magazine to name a few.

Official website: www.michellevawer.com

6. Kirby Griffin


After attending the University of Wisconsin for a year Kirby Griffin became a high fashion model. Still a relatively new comer to the business, Kirby is a fresh-faced bright-eyes beauty. Check out what Kirby has to say via her Twitter account @kirbyVgriffin.

5. Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy is of Thai-Norwegian ancestry. She made her rookie debut in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2010 becoming Rookie of the Year. Chrissy modeling campaigns include Rock and Republic, Billabong, Fredericks of Hollywood, and Victoria’s Secret. When she is not modeling, she can be found jet-setting with singer/song-writer and fiance John Legend. A little known fact about Chrissy is that she is a huge Foodie. Don’t believe us, check out her blog Sodelushious.com where she post delicious pictures of her home cooked meals.

4. Irina Shayk

Russian model Irina Shayk is no stranger to the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The cover model for the 2011 issue, Irina has appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue from 2007 through 2011 appearances. In November 2010 she landed the cover of Elle Spain and she covered Esquire UK in February 2012. She was also on the cover of Ocean Drive and GQ South Africa and ranked first in the “50 Hottest Russian Women” list by Complex magazine.

Irina’s official website: Theirinashayk.com

3. Alyssa Miller

Making her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue debut in 2011, Alyssa was one of five rookies (along with Shannan Click, Kenza Fourati, Izabel Goulart, and fellow Guess model Kate Upton) in the issue. In late 2010 she became one of the new faces of Guess clothing. Make sure to follow Alyssa on Twitter @luvalyssamiller.

2. Cintia Dicker

Cintia was our number one pick last year. As stated last year, she’s sexy, unique, and has that “thing.” Now 25, Cintia who was born in Campo Bom, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, has graced the covers of French Marie Claire, Elle, Madame Figaro and Brazilian Vogue/Teen Vogue to name a few. Her resume of advertisements campaigns includes working for Ann Taylor, Macy’s, L’Oréal, American Eagle Outfitters, and Yves Saint Laurent, H&M, Gap, bebe stores, and Victoria’s Secret.

Cintia Dicker 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Photos

1. Kate Upton

What can we say about Kate that hasn’t already been said? The 19-year-old was last year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ‘Rookie of the Year,’ but clearly she is no Rookie. This past year has been incredible for Kate. Between modeling for Beach Bunny Wear to the debut of her Guess? Lingerie campaign, Kate definitely deserves the number one spot.

For the complete photo spreads of our top 7 and to see who didn’t make out list visit SportsIllustrated.cnn.com. Are you curious to know who made our list last year? Take the jump to our 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models list.

Tags Bikini Model Chrissy Teigen Cintia Dicker Kate Upton Sports Illustrated sports illustrated swimsuit issue