Zoe Tellenbach Named Winterthur’s Sportsperson of the Year, as City Prepares for Leadership Change

Winterthur celebrated its top athletes recently, with trampoline jumper Zoe Tellenbach earning the title of Sportsperson of the Year. The announcement came as the city similarly prepares for a closely watched election to replace long-time City President Michael Künzle.

Sportsperson of the Year Award

Zoe Tellenbach was selected by the audience at the Axa Arena as Winterthur’s Sportsperson of the Year, recognizing her achievements in trampoline jumping. Mayor Mike Künzle was praised for his role in the sports honor ceremony according to Tagesanzeiger.

Upcoming Election for City President

The city of Winterthur is gearing up for an election on March 8th to choose a new City President. Michael Künzle, who has held the position since 2012 – initially as a member of the CVP (Christian Democratic People’s Party) and later Die Mitte – is stepping down after 14 years. As reported by NZZ, Künzle’s departure marks the end of an era of center-right leadership in the city.

A Tight Race Expected

The race to succeed Künzle is expected to be close, with Kaspar Bopp (SP) and Stefan Fritschi (FDP) as the main contenders. According to SRF, Bopp is making a second attempt to win the position, while Fritschi presents a strong challenge. The election will also include a vote for the 60 seats in the city parliament, with nine lists representing various parties competing for representation. The center-right parties are running together as “Team 4 Winti,” while the left-leaning parties – SP, Greens, GLP, and EVP – are not forming a unified alliance this year.

Künzle’s Legacy

Michael Künzle’s tenure as City President began in 2012, ending a decade of Social Democratic leadership. According to Wikipedia, he was first elected with nearly double the votes of his opponent, Yvonne Beutler (SP). He has been re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Künzle is known for his consensus-oriented approach and focus on economic and security policies.