Israeli model Bar Refaeli lands Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover

Israeli model Bar Refaeli has been chosen to be the cover girl for this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, considered one of the most lucrative contracts for models in the fashion industry.

The 23-year-old Refaeli, who is the girlfriend of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, has appeared in the last three editions of the popular special annual edition of the American magazine, but this is her first cover for it.

"They just invited me to the agency and told me I had an audition," Refaeli told Time magazine on Monday, only an hour after she was told the news. "My agent got me into his office and everyone was here, and a camera crew and posters of the cover. My first thought was just like, you know, why is this here? Why are you tricking me? I was speechless for a few long minutes. Which doesn't happen often."

Refaeli's international career has flourished in recent years, with six-figure contracts with companies such as British retail giant Marks & Spencer.

"Bar Refaeli has the perfect qualities to show M&S' Valentine lingerie at its best," a spokesman for the British company told the Daily Telegraph.

Refaeli will not be the only Israeli model in the 2009 SI Swimsuit Issue: Esti Ginzborg, who turns 19 next month, was also chosen to model for the issue.

In the past, Refaeli and Ginzborg have often competed for the same contracts. In 2006 Ginzborg became the lead model in the ad campaign for Israeli clothing chain Fox. Two years later, however, Fox replaced Ginzborg with Refaeli.

The Swimsuit Issue was first published in 1964 and is credited making the bikini a legitimate piece of apparel. Over the years its cover girls have included supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkly and Naomi Campbell.