Letters

Shipshapes
Once again you've melted the winter snow with your beautiful models. Although other sports magazines may try, they have yet to compare to SI's swimsuit issue (Nautical and Nice, Feb. 11). Keep up the terrific work!
DAVID KELLER
Lake Villa, Ill.

Unlike some of the imitation swimsuit issues in which the models look like bleached-blonde tanning-booth queens, the models in your issue are exotic, healthy and beautiful. They inspire me to get my act together and get in shape. Thanks for the bright ray of sunshine during this dreary time.
CHRISTINA JONES
San Jose, Calif.

In today's mail I received my annual motivator to get in shape for the spring and summer—the swimsuit issue. It was, as always, excellent.
PAUL A. SMITH
Madison, Tenn.

Ashley is on the list of the most popular girls' names in America. Ashley Montana, your cover model, will undoubtedly help keep it there.
JEFF SCHIPFERLING
Mosinee, Wis.

I have decided to relocate to Ashley, Montana.
KENNETH D. BROWN
New York City

Why is it that we never seem to tire of Montana on the cover of SI?
JOHN G. MOORE
Evansville, Ind.

I was truly (Elle MacPherson) impressed with this (Elle MacPherson) year's swimsuit edition. It (Elle MacPherson) was a real treat.

By the way, Elle MacPherson looked pretty good, too.
JASON F. LIND
Bellingham, Wash.

Elle-gant!
WILLIAM ROBERTS
Whitesburg, Tenn.

I am outraged, offended, incensed, infuriated, exasperated, provoked and galled over your swimsuit issue. How dare you run just one photo of Kathy Ireland? (The two little ones don't count, they're so small.)
ADAM LEE
Greensboro, N.C.

May I please see at least one more shot of Kathy? Without it, I may not survive the winter months.
MICHAEL DEMEO
New York City

•Happy to oblige (below).—ED.

After very close and extensive examination, this old beach bum has concluded that Judit Masco is sporting a starfish and a sand dollar on her swimsuit rather than a star and moon as you claim.
JOHN COLTON
Cocoa, Fla.

Where are the men?
REBECCA KING
ALISON BERRY
Stanford, Calif.

Speaking as one of your many female subscribers, what would really catch my eye is a male hunk lounging on the beaches of an exotic but picturesque island clad only in a skimpy swimsuit.
CINDY MORRISON
Columbus, Ohio

Congratulations on lowering the sleaze factor. With a few exceptions, Nautical and Nice was tolerable to this mom. How did you fare with librarians this year?
KATHY LANGE
Haddon Heights, N.J.

I am an outraged mother of a 14-year-old boy who loves your magazine. I have bought him two subscriptions so far. I am seriously thinking of dropping the magazine next year, and that would be a shame because my son really enjoys the articles and it has had him reading. I don't mind that you have a swimsuit issue, but I am offended at the pictures you put in it. In my opinion, most of them belong in Playboy, not SI.
SHARON WISE
Mohnton, Pa.

The swimsuit issue contributes to a cultural sickness that views women primarily as sex objects to be used and, too often, abused. It is below the dignity of SI to be a party to that and incongruous with your usual high caliber of journalism.
KATHERINE DOOLITTLE
Cambridge, Mass.

SI is in the forefront of efforts to solve many problems facing society today. You speak out on environmental and racial issues. You address the drug problem, steroid use and the concerns of student-athletes.

It is because-you are so enlightened on these issues that your use of women as objects is especially disappointing. You have an obligation to speak out against another ill facing society—sexism. I hope next year you rethink your annual slap in the face of women and discontinue your swimsuit issue.
JAMES P. FLANNERY JR.
Chicago

PHOTO

Ireland's fans felt she—and they—were slighted.

Letters to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED should include the name, address and home telephone number of the writer and should be addressed to The Editor, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y. 10020-1393.