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RACHEL HEADS LAUNCH OF ALL-STAR SWIMWEAR ISSUE

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16 FEBRUARY 2006

The paper version is eye-popping enough, but Sports Illustrated really grabbed the spotlight when it launched the latest of its famous swimsuit issues by lining up a bevy of blonde lovelies in a New York hotspot.

Tennis champ Maria Sharapova joined models Rachel Hunter, Daniela Pestova, and Petra Nemcova for the glitzy Valentine's Day event, which gave the all-star Beach Party issue a rousing send-off.

Among the scantily clad girlies gathered on the sure-to-be-a-best-seller cover is veteran supermodel Elle Macpherson, who holds the record for the most Sports Illustrated covers – five in total.

The 42-year-old mother of two said it was great to get together with Rachel and other chums for the shoot in the Bahamas last year. "It was like a big family, since so many of us brought our kids. We all went surfing. It was so relaxed and easy," she recalled.

For sports fans keen to acquire the new issue, the full cover line-up is Carolyn Murphy, Daniela Pestova, Elle Macpherson, Elsa Benitez, Rachel Hunter, Rebecca Romijn, Veronica Varekova and Yamila Diaz-Rahi.