Meet the crew
Tom Akass
Hailing from Glen Affric in the Scottish Highlands, Tom first came to Wānaka for the winters, working as a snowboard instructor at Treble Cone. But it was the summers—riding bikes, working at Racers Edge, and exploring the hills—that made him stay. A keen mountain biker and adventurer, he’s passionate about photography and loves nothing more than getting out into nature with his two young girls.
Kate Akass
Tom's other half, Kate is originally from Clyde, but grew up spending countless days in Wānaka, skiing, boating, and racing bikes with family.
A chance meeting with Tom at Racers Edge sealed the deal and she’s called Wānaka home ever since. Passionate about the outdoors, she loves biking, hiking, and sharing adventures, big and small, with their two little girls.
Tim Braizer
A double Olympic triathlon coach with a track record of coaching Ironman, Half Ironman, and Coast to Coast champions, he’s also a seasoned multisport athlete, taking on events like Coast to Coast and Godzone. A dedicated father of two, outdoor enthusiast, and podcaster, he shares his expertise through coaching at Fitter.
Kath Kelly
A biosecurity officer by day and self-proclaimed “sh*tologist” on the side, Kath is a lifelong adventurer with a passion for the outdoors. A latecomer to racing at 33, she’s tackled multisport and cycling events like Coast to Coast, Pioneer, and Tour Te Waipounamu—often landing on the podium. Now at 52, she balances training with trail building, mentoring young riders, and exploring the mountains with her two fur adventure buddies. Her next big goal? Climbing Mount Aspiring / Tititea before she’s "too old!"
Ruby Smith
At just 16, Ruby is a skilled and passionate mountain biker, competing across all disciplines. When she’s not on her bike, she’s out tramping, running, climbing, or kayaking—making the most of the epic outdoors. More than podiums, she’s proud of her progress as an athlete, chasing what she loves and having fun doing it. This season, she’s stoked to be working with Racers Edge, a team that shares her values and passion for adventure.
Sarah Morrison
Originally from Auckland, Sarah fell in love with the Southern Alps after a summer living out of her car and made the move to Wānaka as soon as she could. A passionate mental health advocate, she summited 52 peaks (+1000m) in 2023 to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation NZ. Now balancing a PhD in psychology with guiding, avalanche training, and counseling, she spends every spare moment in the mountains—climbing, scrambling, hiking, and chasing the best alpine lakes to camp beside. A fan of choss soloing, Sarah believes the best holds are the ones you have to put back.
Veronica Rotman
Originally from the other side of the hill (Queenstown), Veronica is a landlocked marine scientist in a constant tug o' war between the mountains and the sea. When she's not staring down a microscope for her PhD, she spends her time hiking, biking, ski touring and freediving. Veronica is a self-proclaimed "leisure athlete", who's idea of fun is a 14-hour day in the mountains, as long as the beers are cold and the company is optimal. Her mahi is driven by her passion for the outdoors, working so future generations can experience the same vibrant wonders she has, above, and below the surface of the ocean.