Irina Shayk has become the first Russian model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, the U.S. magazine said.

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The 2011 issue hit newsstands Tuesday. Models who featured in it, including Shayk, appeared Monday on TV's "Late Show with David Letterman" and read a list of the Top 10 best things about being a swimsuit issue model.

Shayk graces the cover under the headline "Paradise Found in Hawaii." She joins an elite group of models to get the cover, including Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Heidi Klum, Elle MacPherson, Tyra Banks, Petra Nemcova, Marisa Miller and Brooklyn Decker.

This year's cover was shot by Bjorn Iooss -- son of long-time Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr. -- who captured the image with the first shot on his first-ever Sports Illustrated shoot, the magazine said.

Also appearing in this year's issue is 2010 swimsuit cover girl Brooklyn Decker, as well as Cintia Dicker, Esti Ginzburg, Jessica Gomes, Julie Henderson, Damaris Lewis, Genevieve Morton, Hilary Rhoda, Chrissy Teigen, Anne V and Jessica White.

Newcomers Alyssa Miller, Izabel Goulart, Kate Upton, Kenza Fourati and Shannan Click are featured in the issue's "Best Rookie Class Ever!"