The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is an American institution. For nearly half a century, SI’s annual swimsuit edition has featured the most beautiful, ridiculously good-looking models in the world. The list is impressive: Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, Niki Taylor, Stephanie Seymour, Angie Everhart, Cindy Crawford, Rebecca Romijin, Heidi Klum, Marissa Miller, Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova, Beyoncé Knowles, I could go on, but you get the idea.

Why does any of this matter? Because SI and HTC are teaming up to give one person the chance to experience the 2011 SI Swimsuit photo shoot up close and in person. The “Behind the Tan Lines” contest will give one grand prize winner a trip for two to the undisclosed location of the November SI Swimsuit Photo Shoot, access to the 2011 Swimsuit launch parties in New York and Vegas, two HTC smartphones and $10,000 in cash. Four primary prize winners will receive an HTC smartphone and $400 in cash. Twenty-five secondary prize winners will receive a phone and an exclusive HTC/SI Swimsuit-themed prize pack. Not a bad set of prizes.

For the grand prize winner, the expectation is that you’ll be an HTC correspondent and use your HTC smartphone to the fullest by blasting videos and photos of the shoot on www.si.com/behindthetanlines. They’re looking for someone who’s great behind the camera, has a way with words and is down to social network the hell out of the whole thing.

Here are the official entry instructions:

1. Show us your creativity by uploading a video up to three minutes long OR a photo shot with your mobile phone with a brief description highlighting the unique perspective you’ll bring to this exclusive access. Feel free to send us a link to any reference materials – your Twitter account, Facebook page, blog, or online gallery.

2. Then, “tweet” us! Enter a short, witty message in the box provided (140 characters or less, of course) and tell us why we should check out your creative perspective

So if you want to spend this November with extra babes, new technology and cash, get do it. Entries must be received by 9/6/10.

Good luck!