{blackbabes} Catty attack over S.I. cover

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The claws are out among sexy models Irina Shayk, Anne Vyalitsyna, Julie Henderson, Christine Teigen and Brooklyn Decker -- the front-runners battling tooth-and-nail for the cover of this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, one of the most coveted jobs a model can land.

"The girls can get catty over it because everybody wants it. The cover makes you a household name. Any model who wants to make herself a brand knows this is what you need to do," said one fashion insider.

Sources said Russian beauty Shayk, girlfriend of soccer stud Cristiano Ronaldo, and Victoria's Secret model Vyalitsyna -- who models under the name "Anne V" and is dating Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine -- are favorites for this year's cover. Shayk was on the cover of the S.I. swimsuit DVD last year, and Anne V has been featured in the issue for seven years running.