Racing Driver Christina Nielsen Shares Swimsuit Photo From the Ocean

Danish racing driver Christina Nielsen is fearless both on and off the racing track—not even sharks faze her. Nielsen, 31, is passionate about diving in the ocean and shared pictures of herself underwater in a wetsuit, swimming next to a giant whale shark. “This gentle giant put a massive smile on my face today 😍🐳🌊,” she captioned the post. “Such incredible animals!” a fan commented. Here’s how Nielsen got her start in racing, and what her favorite cars are.

1. Racing In the Family

Nielsen’s father is famous racing champion Lars Erik Nielsen, but he didn’t introduce her to the sport. “My dad was not the instigator,” she says. “Yes, he was racing, but I played tennis and I really didn’t have an interest in racing until I got invited to a day at the go-kart track. I thought it was a lot of fun, the adrenaline kick and being behind the wheel. Tennis is very much about being a perfectionist and so is racing, so it really caught my attention. But after that, it’s definitely a passion that my dad and I shared together and he’s been a huge part of forming my career throughout the years, for the majority of my career. So he’s definitely played a big role, but he was actually not the first to introduce me to it.”

2. Proud to Compete

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Nielsen has never seen her gender as a barrier in the racing world. “At the end of the day, I am proud to be a female competing on such a high level, but most importantly, I am proud to be a driver who competes at that level,” she says. “My personal statement is about the fact that nothing, including your gender, should stop you from pursuing your dreams and doing what you want.”

3. Her Favorite Cars

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Nielsen passed her driving test at 17 and got a Seat Ibiza Cupra as her first car. “I walked into the showroom and there was this black beauty,” she says. “I fell for the Cupra immediately…. Soon I decided I needed a more frugal diesel. An Audi A3 TDI was the obvious choice but I found it very boring. By then I was competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup in Germany. I got my kicks on the racetrack. I raced an Aston Martin Vantage V12 in the SportsCar Championship and Pirelli World Challenge. The Aston is a great car on the racetrack but I needed something sensible for my daily commute here in Los Angeles.”

4. Women Racing

Nielsen is happy more and more women are taking part in the sport. “I am seeing way more women on the grid in my line of racing than 10 years ago, which I really love,” she says. “It’s not only about just being there, it’s also about being competitive. When I was living in the US, I had an organization called Accelerating Change together with my business partner, where we put on track days for women, trying to be that springboard for them to explore our passion for being behind the wheel and driving in a safe space where they could progress. I call us a springboard because a lot of women might have done their first track day ever with us.”

5. Diving With Sharks

Nielsen dives with sharks, which doesn’t scare her anymore. “I recently took my diving certificate,” she says. “I actually hired a guy who does underwater photography who does excursions in different places of the world which are very authentic. When you’re in the ocean, it’s not about having the fanciest boat but about having the right crew with the right equipment going to the right location. Outside of racing, I feel like I had to find something else that was going to be pushing my comfort zones.”

Victoria Silvstedt, the model and TV personality, is no stranger to posting swimsuit photos on Instagram. She shows off her figure on multiple occasions. Silvstedt is on a cruise, and made sure to get some photos for social media. In a new post, she posed in a red bikini, sunhat, and shades, with the wind in her hair. She captioned the post, “Cruising selfies.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Victoria Silvstedt stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Goes Swimming

Silvstedt loves to go outside. One place that she likes to go to is anywhere with some water. She posts several photos on Instagram of herself at the pool or at the beach. She posted this photo from Saint Barthelemy, captioning it, “Come surf with me.” She also posted this photo of herself in the ocean by a rock in La Spiaggetta dei Balzi Rossi, captioning it, “I found a secret grotto and crystal clear water.”

2. She Rides Water Bikes

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Swimming isn’t the only thing Silvstedt likes to do in the water. She’s also a fan of water biking. She posted this set of photos of herself doing the activity in Port de Monaco on Instagram. Silvstedt captioned the post, “Sunday funday water bike challenge.”

3. She Skis

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While Silvstedt loves to spend time in the sun, she also likes spending time in the snow. One thing she likes to do is ski. She posted this set of photos of herself on a ski trip in the Alpes on Instagram. She captioned the post, “Thankful for this amazing fun ski weekend in Courchevel under the sun.”

4. She Enjoys A Balanced Diet

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Silvstedt revealed some of her wellness secrets in an interview with the blog Victor De Monaco. She says that she eats a balanced, but healthy diet each day. “I love to eat. I am not your green juices 24/7 kind of girl. I must have a dessert everyday and especially chocolate. And what is a night like without a glass of wine? However, I try to avoid eating carbs and especially before a photo-shoot. I also try to limit my amount of red meat intake. I guess you can describe my diet as a Mediterranean, wholesome and vegetable-based diet.”

5. She Works Out Outside

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Silvstedt loves to go outside. She says to Victor De Monaco that she prefers to do most of her exercising in the fresh air. “I love working out outdoors like doing some yoga and pilates every now and then. I prefer to go running outside rather than to workout at the gym.”

Manuela Alvarez Hernandez is one of the hot new models right now. In 2019, she was one of Sports Illustrated’s SI Swim Search winners. And her recent Instagram post proves why she got the job. Hernandez shared a set of photos from the beach. She wore a bunch of different swimsuits, including one in yellow, one in orange, and one in black. Hernandez captioned the post, “Leaving these here just before summer ends.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Manuela Alvarez Hernandez stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Wants To Inspire Others

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Hernandez wants to be an inspiration for other Latina models. She talked about this in an interview with HOLA USA, after winning the SI Swim Search. “It’s an honor,” she said. “And for me, it’s huge because coming from Medellin and moving to the U.S., I didn’t really think that my life was going to take this direction. The fact that I’m following my dreams, and I get to be myself and represent Latinas is truly an honor.”

2. She Changed Her Diet and Exercise

Hernandez talked about how she prepped for the SI shoot to HOLA USA. “I knew that the day of the shoot I wanted to feel my best and feel confident,” she said. “A few weeks before, I did work out a lot. I would go to the gym once or twice a day every single day. I tried to cut out dairy, meat and tried to have mainly a plant-based diet. It was really hard for me just because I love food. I love pizza; I love carbs. It really did take a lot for me to restrain myself from eating meat and all the fried foods and all the good stuff. That’s probably the best shape I’ve been in in my life.”

3. She Prioritized Education

At the 2019 SI Swimsuit On Location event in Miami, Hernandez revealed to a reporter that she put school ahead of her modeling dreams. “It honestly feels like a crazy dream,” Hernandez said. “It’s insane to see that it’s becoming a reality and I’m living it. Honestly, I’m really glad that I went to school and got my degree and that now I have the chance to do modeling all the time. Now I’m in LA, so it’s honestly just been amazing.”

4. She Swims

As you can see from her recent Instagram post, Hernandez likes to go to the beach. One thing she likes to do there is swim. She shared this video on Instagram of herself running into the water. Hernandez captioned the post, “I love this feeling.” Better Health states that, “Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. Recreational swimming can provide you with a low-impact workout and it's a good way to relax and feel good.”

5. She Skis

Swimming isn’t the only outdoor workout Hernandez likes to do. She also enjoys going skiing. Hernandez shared this set of photos and videos of herself on the slopes of Big Bear Mountain. She captioned the post, “A fun day on the mountain.” SkiCanada.org states, “It’s well documented that skiing and snowboarding benefits cardiovascular health, overall fitness, strength, coordination, balance and more. Regardless of your health and fitness goals, strapping on a pair of skis or a snowboard is sure to fulfill some of them. Due to the versatility of skiing and snowboarding, it can encompass the benefits of a cardio workout, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session, and strength training session, all in one fun activity.”

Spanish pole vaulting champion Clara Fernández is one of the most impressive athletes competing right now, and she trains incredibly hard to be a winner. Fernández shared pictures of herself wearing a swimsuit on her social media, and it’s clear from the post that building and maintaining muscle is something she has done for years. But how exactly does she train? Here are the exercises Fernández swears by for strength, speed, and agility.

1. She’s a Runner

Fernández’s training includes plenty of running—including long-distance running. "Any type of aerobic exercise has a positive effect on the heart," says Dr. Dan Meyer, chief of cardiac transplantation at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas. "Running is such an efficient mode of exercise. It can be relaxing and a stress reliever at times. I find it having as much emotional benefits as physical."

2. She’s Also a Swimmer

Fernández’s athletic background includes swimming, which is a great full-body workout. “Swimming works the heart and lungs,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “This trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently, which is generally reflected in declines in the resting heart rate and breathing rate. It uses the arms, the legs, and other muscle groups in between. This improves muscle strength and flexibility.”

3. She Cycles

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Cycling is another major part of Fernández’s background and training. “Cycling is one of the healthiest and low-impact forms of exercise - meaning it causes less strain and injuries than most other workouts,” say the experts at the University of Montana. “So it's a hobby you can continue to enjoy throughout your long life. And, unlike other forms of exercise, you won't dread doing it. Even if you take cycling seriously and go at it hard, the blood pumping and wind in your face is still exhilarating, even when it's difficult.”

4. Triathlon Star

Fernández takes part in triathlons (seriously, is there anything she can’t do?). Training is crucial for anyone wanting to take part in a triathlon, experts say. “Triathletes can suffer injuries from the compound effect of adding too much training without proper care and guidance,” says Gautam Yagnik, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute at Baptist Health South Florida. “Cross-conditioning is important and a key training element for triathletes, but proper preparation, stretching, hydration, periods of rest and other precautions should be taken to avoid overuse injuries.”

5. Dog Lover

Fernández loves animals, especially dogs, which are known to have health benefits for their owners. “An extensive number of studies in a wide range of journals and disciplines support that interactions with pets contribute to good health and quality of life and healing from serious illnesses and conditions,” says Dr. Maria Iliopoulou, an alumna of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. “Pets can influence our emotional state, our sense of security and acceptance, and even our positive outlook on life.”

Racer Courtney Force went on a trip to Lake Tahoe with friends and family, and shared highlights of her getaway on social media. Force, 35, posted pictures of the vacation, including photos of her wearing a bikini on a boat in the sunshine, and in the water with a pal. “Days on Lake Tahoe☀️,” she captioned the post. “Looks like Heaven,” a fan commented. Here’s what Force’s diet, exercise, and training regimen looks like.

1. Cardio and Strength Training

Force does a combination of cardio and strength training at the gym. “It’s important to build your upper body strength when handling one of these 10,000 horsepower race cars,” she says. “In these cars anything can happen when you’re reaching speeds over 300 mph so you need to be mentally and physically prepared for anything. After working with a trainer I’ve learned so many great moves and workouts that I have added to my routine and taken on the road with me. I work out in gyms across the country during race weekends and enjoy getting prepared for the upcoming race! It’s always important to mix up your routine so your body doesn’t get used to the same old thing. I’m always looking for new tips and ideas when working out to shock my body, and get it working hard for every workout.”

2. Strong Legs

Force is a big fan of the shoulder press to keep her legs strong. "These race cars can be unpredictable, so you need to be strong enough to handle it and keep the car going straight down the race track," she says. "This is a dangerous sport, but it is always exciting! The stronger your legs are, the quicker you can mash down on the throttle and leave quicker than your opponent at the starting line!"

3. Protein and Almonds

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Force does her best to enjoy nutritious foods when she’s traveling for work. “It’s tough to follow a strict diet when you’re on the road, but I eat small meals throughout the day to keep my energy level up,” she says. “I am always relying on protein and do my best to cut out the carbs especially over a race weekend. When I need a snack I always grab fruit or almonds to hold me over.”

4. Driving With Dad

Force loves racing with her racing champion father John Force. “Dad and I have become the first father-daughter to ever be Nos. 1 and 2 in the points, which is such an incredible feeling,” she says. “With the other competitors right on our tails, I'm going to savor this moment for a while. We are going to keep the momentum going and our team is ready to fight it out to the end.”

5. College Education

Force majored in Communications at Cal State Fullerton. “I was very determined to get my college degree before pursuing a career in racing, just so I could have a fall back plan,” she says. “Having a degree in Communications definitely helped me see both sides of the entertainment business as well as how to understand and work with the media side of my job. This has helped me to be more comfortable in front of the camera and understanding of the ins and outs of communicating and the hard work it takes to reach my goal. Being a race car driver is only part of the job. Being able to manage everything else is the difficult part. You have to be able to handle being pulled in multiple directions, keep it under control and keep your focus, not only for your team, but for your sponsors and fans as well.”