Latest news with #Fribourg
Malay Mail
07-08-2025
- Malay Mail
Love at new heights: Couples find romance in the Alps through ‘Mountain Tinder' notebooks
BULLE (Switzerland), Aug 7 — Cathy and Patrick relish describing how they found each other: through a message left on a Swiss mountaintop. 'It was just a beautiful way to meet,' said Cathy Rotzetter during a recent hike in the Pre-Alps of the western Swiss canton of Fribourg. Sick of online dating sites, the 58-year-old said she was thrilled to discover an analogue alternative, with a Swiss twist: 'Mountain Tinder'. Last October, she clambered up to the Wandflue peak, at an altitude of 2,133 metres, and jotted down her information in the red notebook she found there. Rotzetter recalled the message as she sat in a mountain pasture, her arm laced around Patrick, with the Wandflue towering behind them. 'I wrote that I liked relaxed hikes, and also to have a drink afterwards,' she told AFP with a laugh. Patrick, who is also 58 and who declined to give his surname, found the message a week later, and was charmed. Cathy, 58 years old, reads the 'Mountain Tinder' notebook at the top of Wandflue peak, Bernese Alps, above Jaun of the Canton of Fribourg, on August 3, 2025. — AFP pic Nature 'a good filter' Monney said he felt 'proud' when hearing from couples who met through the notebooks. It is nice, he said, 'to make someone happy'. The notebook on La Vudalla is filling up fast. 'Passionate about mountains, skiing and climbing,' one message reads, while another is seeking someone who 'likes sports, metal and tattooed women'. 'The idea is very simple,' Monney said. 'If you contact someone, that person has also reached the peak, and probably likes nature and mountains. You already have something in common.' Patrick and Cathy, both 58 years old, walk hand in hand to the Wandflue peak, Bernese Alps, above Jaun of the Canton of Fribourg August 3, 2025. — AFP pic Rotzetter agreed. 'The shared love of nature... is a good filter,' she said. Her first date with Patrick last winter was a long scenic walk, ending with a picnic. Rotzetter said she loved that Patrick brought along food and drink for her, and noticed that he kept pace with her. 'I wasn't looking for someone I had to run after,' she said, adding that walking makes for a perfect first date and provides good insight into the other person's character. 'You can see if they adapt their pace... or if they charge ahead.' Patrick added: 'It is very revealing.' Avid hiker and creator of 'Mountain Tinder', Thibaud Monney, 29 hikes above Bulle in the Fribourg Pre-Alps July 19, 2025. — AFP pic Mountain 'algorithm' Monney said he preferred his system to the online dating apps he stopped using a decade ago. 'I didn't like the idea of choosing a person based on a picture and swiping left or right,' he said. Others have congratulated him for liberating dating from algorithmic dictates. With Mountain Tinder, he said, 'you have to reach the peak. That's the only algorithm'. The peaks also naturally filter for age and physical ability. La Vudalla, at an altitude of 1,669 metres, is one of the easier peaks to reach, allowing older or less fit people to leave messages there. But Monney said only the fittest will make the technically difficult climb up the 2,376-metre Vanil de l'Ecri across the valley. He has himself found love, not by leaving messages but still thanks to his notebooks. 'She saw me on television' speaking about Mountain Tinder and 'got in touch', Monney said of his partner. 'Now I am happy.' — AFP
South China Morning Post
05-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
How ‘Mountain Tinder' is helping hikers find love away from dating apps
Cathy and Patrick relish describing how they found each other: through a message left on a Swiss mountaintop. Advertisement 'It was just a beautiful way to meet,' said Cathy Rotzetter during a recent hike in the Pre-Alps of the western Swiss canton of Fribourg. Sick of online dating sites, the 58-year-old said she was thrilled to discover an analogue alternative with a Swiss twist: 'Mountain Tinder'. In October 2024, she clambered up to the Wandflue peak, at an altitude of 2,133 metres (6,998ft), and jotted down her information in the red notebook she found there. Cathy Rotzetter and Patrick read the 'Mountain Tinder' notebook at the top of Wandflue peak in the Fribourg Pre-Alps. Photo: AFP Rotzetter recalled the message as she sat in a mountain pasture, her arm laced around Patrick, with the Wandflue towering behind them. Advertisement 'I wrote that I liked relaxed hikes, and also to have a drink afterwards,' she said with a laugh.
France 24
05-08-2025
- France 24
Swiss 'Mountain Tinder' sparks high-altitude attraction
"It was just a beautiful way to meet," said Cathy Rotzetter during a recent hike in the Pre-Alps of the western Swiss canton of Fribourg. Sick of online dating sites, the 58-year-old said she was thrilled to discover an analogue alternative, with a Swiss twist: "Mountain Tinder". Last October, she clambered up to the Wandflue peak, at an altitude of 2,133 metres (6,998 feet), and jotted down her information in the red notebook she found there. Rotzetter recalled the message as she sat in a mountain pasture, her arm laced around Patrick, with the Wandflue towering behind them. "I wrote that I liked relaxed hikes, and also to have a drink afterwards," she told AFP with a laugh. Patrick, who is also 58 and who declined to give his surname, found the message a week later, and was charmed. Started as a joke Mountain Tinder is the brain-child of Thibaud Monney, a 29-year-old avid hiker who told AFP the whole thing started in 2023 as "a joke". During a climb up the Dent de Broc, overlooking the picturesque Lake of Gruyere, he realised he missed having someone to share the view with. On a whim, he jotted down his feelings in a leather-bound visitor's book. The books are traditionally found on peaks across Fribourg. "I wrote that I had climbed up for the sunset, and next time there would be two of us," he said. Monney, who provides woodwork vocational training for disabled people, said that when he shared the story with colleagues they jokingly suggested he place dedicated "Tinder" notebooks on mountaintops. "It has worked well," he said during a recent hike to the La Vudalla peak. "A number of couples have been created," he said, thumbing through the red notebook he had stashed alongside the traditional visitor's book in a metal letterbox mounted on a large wooden cross. In all, Monney said he has placed notebooks on seven Fribourg peaks, swapping them out for new ones as they fill up. The idea has also spread, with people in other Swiss cantons and as far away as Argentina telling him they have started Mountain Tinder notebooks. Nature 'a good filter' Monney said he felt "proud" when hearing from couples who met through the notebooks. It is nice, he said, "to make someone happy". The notebook on La Vudalla is filling up fast. "Passionate about mountains, skiing and climbing," one message reads, while another is seeking someone who "likes sports, metal and tattooed women". "The idea is very simple," Monney said. "If you contact someone, that person has also reached the peak, and probably likes nature and mountains. You already have something in common." Rotzetter agreed. "The shared love of nature... is a good filter," she said. Her first date with Patrick last winter was a long scenic walk, ending with a picnic. Rotzetter said she loved that Patrick brought along food and drink for her, and noticed that he kept pace with her. "I wasn't looking for someone I had to run after," she said, adding that walking makes for a perfect first date and provides good insight into the other person's character. "You can see if they adapt their pace... or if they charge ahead." Patrick added: "It is very revealing." Mountain 'algorithm' Monney said he preferred his system to the online dating apps he stopped using a decade ago. "I didn't like the idea of choosing a person based on a picture and swiping left or right," he said. Others have congratulated him for liberating dating from algorithmic dictates. With Mountain Tinder, he said, "you have to reach the peak. That's the only algorithm". The peaks also naturally filter for age and physical ability. La Vudalla, at an altitude of 1,669 metres, is one of the easier peaks to reach, allowing older or less fit people to leave messages there. But Monney said only the fittest will make the technically difficult climb up the 2,376-metre Vanil de l'Ecri across the valley. He has himself found love, not by leaving messages but still thanks to his notebooks. "She saw me on television" speaking about Mountain Tinder and "got in touch", Monney said of his partner. "Now I am happy." © 2025 AFP
News.com.au
05-08-2025
- News.com.au
Swiss 'Mountain Tinder' sparks high-altitude attraction
Cathy and Patrick relish describing how they found each other: through a message left on a Swiss mountaintop. "It was just a beautiful way to meet," said Cathy Rotzetter during a recent hike in the Pre-Alps of the western Swiss canton of Fribourg. Sick of online dating sites, the 58-year-old said she was thrilled to discover an analogue alternative, with a Swiss twist: "Mountain Tinder". Last October, she clambered up to the Wandflue peak, at an altitude of 2,133 metres (6,998 feet), and jotted down her information in the red notebook she found there. Rotzetter recalled the message as she sat in a mountain pasture, her arm laced around Patrick, with the Wandflue towering behind them. "I wrote that I liked relaxed hikes, and also to have a drink afterwards," she told AFP with a laugh. Patrick, who is also 58 and who declined to give his surname, found the message a week later, and was charmed. - Started as a joke - Mountain Tinder is the brain-child of Thibaud Monney, a 29-year-old avid hiker who told AFP the whole thing started in 2023 as "a joke". During a climb up the Dent de Broc, overlooking the picturesque Lake of Gruyere, he realised he missed having someone to share the view with. On a whim, he jotted down his feelings in a leather-bound visitor's book. The books are traditionally found on peaks across Fribourg. "I wrote that I had climbed up for the sunset, and next time there would be two of us," he said. Monney, who provides woodwork vocational training for disabled people, said that when he shared the story with colleagues they jokingly suggested he place dedicated "Tinder" notebooks on mountaintops. "It has worked well," he said during a recent hike to the La Vudalla peak. "A number of couples have been created," he said, thumbing through the red notebook he had stashed alongside the traditional visitor's book in a metal letterbox mounted on a large wooden cross. In all, Monney said he has placed notebooks on seven Fribourg peaks, swapping them out for new ones as they fill up. The idea has also spread, with people in other Swiss cantons and as far away as Argentina telling him they have started Mountain Tinder notebooks. - Nature 'a good filter' - Monney said he felt "proud" when hearing from couples who met through the notebooks. It is nice, he said, "to make someone happy". The notebook on La Vudalla is filling up fast. "Passionate about mountains, skiing and climbing," one message reads, while another is seeking someone who "likes sports, metal and tattooed women". "The idea is very simple," Monney said. "If you contact someone, that person has also reached the peak, and probably likes nature and mountains. You already have something in common." Rotzetter agreed. "The shared love of nature... is a good filter," she said. Her first date with Patrick last winter was a long scenic walk, ending with a picnic. Rotzetter said she loved that Patrick brought along food and drink for her, and noticed that he kept pace with her. "I wasn't looking for someone I had to run after," she said, adding that walking makes for a perfect first date and provides good insight into the other person's character. "You can see if they adapt their pace... or if they charge ahead." Patrick added: "It is very revealing." - Mountain 'algorithm' - Monney said he preferred his system to the online dating apps he stopped using a decade ago. "I didn't like the idea of choosing a person based on a picture and swiping left or right," he said. Others have congratulated him for liberating dating from algorithmic dictates. With Mountain Tinder, he said, "you have to reach the peak. That's the only algorithm". The peaks also naturally filter for age and physical ability. La Vudalla, at an altitude of 1,669 metres, is one of the easier peaks to reach, allowing older or less fit people to leave messages there. But Monney said only the fittest will make the technically difficult climb up the 2,376-metre Vanil de l'Ecri across the valley. He has himself found love, not by leaving messages but still thanks to his notebooks. "She saw me on television" speaking about Mountain Tinder and "got in touch", Monney said of his partner. "Now I am happy." nl/rjm/tw/tc
Business Wire
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
IFF Appoints Paul J. Fribourg and Jesus B. Mantas to Board of Directors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IFF (NYSE: IFF)—a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences—today announced the appointment of Paul J. Fribourg and Jesus B. Mantas to its board of directors, effective immediately. These appointments bring extensive international leadership experience, and industry and strategic insight to IFF as the company continues to advance its innovation agenda and strengthen its market position. 'I am delighted that Paul and Jesus are joining the IFF board,' said Kevin O'Byrne, chair of the IFF board. 'They bring a strong combination of digital innovation, global market insight and operational excellence. Their experience, leadership and vision will help guide IFF through its next phase of growth as we continue to deliver breakthrough solutions for customers and create long-term value for our stakeholders.' Fribourg brings more than four decades of global leadership experience in agribusiness, food and investment sectors, and currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Continental Grain Company, a position he has held since 1976. Fribourg has overseen the company's transformation into a diversified global investment firm with a focus on food, agriculture and adjacent industries. Under his leadership, Continental Grain Company has expanded its portfolio and strategic partnerships across continents, reinforcing its legacy of innovation and resilience. He serves as lead independent director of Loews Corp. and sits on the boards of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Syngenta Group Co. Ltd. and Wayne-Sanderson Farms LLC. Fribourg is also a member of the Rabobank International North American Agribusiness Advisory Board, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Temasek Americas Advisory Panel and the International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the mayor of Shanghai. Jesus B. Mantas Jesus Mantas is a leader in artificial intelligence, business transformation and innovation. He recently retired from IBM, where he served as global managing partner leading the $10 billion Business Transformation Services unit in IBM Consulting. Before that, he led IBM Consulting global strategy, offerings and acquisitions. He also oversaw several global divisions, including IBM Global Business Outsourcing, IBM Consulting in Latin America, and IBM Consulting in the North America enterprise market. Prior to joining IBM, he was a partner in the technology practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting. Mantas currently serves on the board of directors at Biogen Inc., where he chairs the Compensation and Management Development Committee. He is vice chair of the board at HITEC, a nonprofit that promotes and celebrates technology leadership in the Hispanic community. He also serves as a council member of the Council on Global Competition and Innovation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on accelerating innovation investments in national security. He was a member of the World Economic Forum's AI Global Council, served as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Irvine Graduate School of Management, and was an officer in the Spanish Air Force. Welcome to IFF At IFF (NYSE: IFF), we make joy through science, creativity and heart. As the global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences, we deliver groundbreaking, sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products—advancing wellness, delighting the senses and enhancing the human experience. Learn more at LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. © 2025 by International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. IFF is a Registered Trademark. All Rights Reserved.
