Swimsuit

Kim Riekenberg’s 8 Best Coastal Cowgirl SI Swim Looks in Wyoming

The German model and soon-to-be mom posed for the magazine in 2020.

Cara O’Bleness

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo.

Kim Riekenberg was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo.

German model Kim Riekenberg posed for the SI Swimsuit Issue in 2020, when her unique feature took her out west rather than to the beach. The 29-year-old traveled to Wyoming with Ruven Afanador, where she donned a number of stunning looks amid a gorgeous country backdrop.

Riekenberg was thrilled with the opportunity to explore more of the U.S. for her rookie feature, which took her to Saratoga, Wyo.

“... I never really traveled far into the country in America until that day, so it was very exciting going there,” she told Fox News. “I just heard so many great stories [about Wyoming], and I was very curious how it was going to look. We went in the fall, which is the perfect season of the year. There are so many beautiful colors surrounding you. The trees were green, but up in the mountains, there was snow already. It felt like I was surrounded by a living painting. It all felt so unreal.”

In addition to SI Swimsuit, Riekenberg has also been featured on the cover of Elle Germany and has worked with Polo Ralph Lauren, H&M and other notable brands.

“The whole experience was so lovely,” Riekenberg continued of her SI Swimsuit feature. “Knowing that I was a rookie, there was a sense of excitement in the air. And I just knew my life changed that day as a model. It’s another step in my career. But it was all just so beautiful.”

The model and her partner, Alessandro Hasni, are currently expecting their first child. In honor of the exciting news, we’re throwing it back to a few of our favorite snaps from her photoshoot in Wyoming. 

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Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuit’s portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.