Posted by Kevin Jacobs, Sun Staff

Guess what sports fans? I’ve found another February event that went overlooked in my previous post on the 5th. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. It’s got “Sports” in the title, so it clearly has something to do with sports, right?

I consider it an educational and informing sports magazine with a few creative pictures thrown in. After all, those swimsuit designers have to sell their products somehow. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

But in all seriousness, it is rather curious how grand of an event one simple magazine issue has become. It’s spawned fan clubs, TV shows, and millions of loyal followers. The models behind the little bits of fabric and body paint have become more famous than most movie stars.

Pictures that were once confined to plastic, and the top shelves of magazine racks, have become widely accepted, largely because of some vague association to sports. But who’s complaining?

The annual edition has fascinated men and women alike, prompting a debate of which drop-dead gorgeous model should grace the cover. Personally, I know almost as many women who buy the issue as men. And all of them have their own personal favorites. Marisa Miller, Bar Refaeli, Brooklyn Decker, Veronica Varekova, Anne V, the list goes on and on.

In addition to these professional hotties, SI always throws in a few sexy female athletes to boot. Among this year’s crop are perennial part-time model Danica Patrick and my favorite Russian tennis vixen, Daniela Hantuchova (for a photo check back to my Jan 22 post).

Whatever excuse you use to pick up this year’s cover girl, Refaeli, doesn’t really matter. And even though I am one of some 65-plus million “sports” fans that will, I can help but feel a little self-conscious when flipping through the pages in public.

What are your thoughts on this year's SI Swimsuit Issue?