The 2011 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover girl, as unveiled by David Letterman on his Monday night show, is Irina Shayk, and she is soaking up the sun on the beaches of Maui.
Shayk, 24, is the first Russian cover model, and her photo was taken by Bjorn Ioss, son of long-time Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr. It’s his first shoot for the magazine and we’re told this photo was the first shot he took.
Shayk is a native of Yemanzhelinsk, a village that doesn’t show up on most maps. She made her SIswimsuit debut in 2007 and has appeared in every swimsuit issue since. Her bathing suit in the 2011 cover photo was designed by Sauvage by Elizabeth Southwood, and her bracelet was made by Los Angeles-based Ettika. The Russian beauty is dating soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Shayk joins an illustrious group of SI swimsuit cover models, including Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Heidi Klum, Elle MacPherson, Tyra Banks, Petra Nemcova, Marisa Miller and Brooklyn Decker.
