Gentlemen, the time is almost here.  It’s the time of year where you put Google and the blogosphere on hold and instead pick up a magazine to admire hot chicks.  Pre-internet, it was likely the occasion that helped you get through Winter.  It’s the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and the 2009 issue is almost upon us.  No word yet as to where it was shot (who cares), how much body paint will be involved (lots), or if you should have kept the 3D glasses from 2007.

Since the cover model is always kept under wraps before ineveitably being catpulted to superstar status (see:  Marisa Miller), I figured I’d set some odds for who’s likely to grace the cover this year.

Obvious disclaimer:  All photos are property/copyright of Sports Illustrated.  To view more of the ladies, visit SI.com.

75-1:  Melissa Baker

Melissa was an SI rookie last year and has stayed relatively quiet since, but she’s from Ohio and gets a free spot on my list.

melissa0

melissa1melissa2melissa3melissa4

SEE THE REST AFTER THE JUMP…

50-1:  Tori Praver

A 2-year veteran, Tori brings the tomboy look to the table and almost looks believable with a surfboard.  She’s got a chance if the editors want to go with the All-American California girl look.

tori0

tori1tori3tori4tori5

25-1:  Jessica Gomes

Australian model Jessica Gomes was a rookie last year whose exotic look (Singaporean Chinese / Portuguese if you’re wondering) made her a hit.  I think it might be enough to catapult her to cover-status, but if so it’d likely be a shared-effort.

gomes0

gomes1gomes2gomes4gomes5

12-1:  Marisa Miller

Yes, her.  I wanted to keep her off the list, but I think it’s likely that SI will make the type of decision that everyone makes in this economy - the safe one.

marisa0

marisa1marisa2marisa3marisa4

5-1:  Bar Refaeli

A 2-year veteran, she just has the look of an SI Cover Model.  She’s also begun to make a name for herself, mostly for dating Leonardo DiCaprio, but hey whatever it takes to make the press.

bar0

bar1bar2bar3bar4

3-2:  Brooklyn Decker

Why is she the most likely to be on the cover of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition?  Because she’s easily the hottest of all the options, including Marisa Miller.  Nuff said.

brooklyn0

brooklyn1brooklyn2brooklyn3brooklyn4brooklyn5brooklyn6

So there you have it, the ladies I deemed worthy of predicting odds for this year’s SI Swimsuit Cover.  Let me know in the comments section your thoughts on why I’m wrong or who should be on the list.  If you liked this, you’ll probably also like my post from last year on the Top 10 Non-Cover Models of the SI Swimsuit Edition.

2/9/09 UPDATE:  Co-ed Magazine is reporting that Bar Refaeli will be this year’s cover girl.  They had an editor at today’s taping of Letterman, where it will be announced to the world.

Other things you’ll probably like:


Like this post? Share it!
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • Yahoo! Buzz