It’s been almost sixteen months since we last had a Man Lab Showdown and I’m not sure why because the Showdown is consistently your favourite post. So to mark the release of the 50th anniversary issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and the return of the Showdown, I thought I’d do something special.

In one corner is the woman I said was my dark horse for this year’s cover and fastest growing star in modelling over the last year, Nina Agdal. In the other corner, a Victoria’s Secret Angel recruited to SI, Lily Aldridge. And in the third corner, a long-time Swimsuit Issue veteran who finally got her shot at the cover, Chrissy Teigen. That’s right, it’s our first ever Man Lab Showdown three-way dance to find the ultimate 50th Anniversary cover girl.

More photos and the poll after the jump.

Nina Agdal

Lily Aldridge

Chrissy Teigen