In its 42 years on the newsstands the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has been part of American culture.  Few annual publications have lasted as long and even fewer have sparked more debate.  Even today, some people still get their pannies in a wad over the scantily clothed women. However, with so many magazines on the store shelves regularly that have just as much if not more skin the controversy has died down a bit.

Growing up in a time before the Internet, I can appreciate what the SI Swimsuit issue meant to teenage boys everywhere in the magazines hey day. As a marketer I can appreciate what the swimsuit issue did for the magazine. There been so many beautiful women to grace the pages over the years, my favorites are still in this order:

1. Elle McPherson
2. Kathy Ireland
3. Tyra Banks
4. Petra Nemcova
5. Veronica Varekova
6. Heidi Klum
7. Christie Brinkley
8. Paulina Porizkova
9. Carolyn Murphy
10. Cheryl Tiegs

That leads to my favorite from this year's issue: TORI PRAVER

CHECK OUT THESE LINKS
--Complete 2008 Models/Photos
--History of Covers