01,November, 2026 – Melbourne
The CYAA has welcomed the opportunity to bestow Life Membership of the association to great friend and CYANZ member Iain Valentine.
Iain was presented with his Life Membership at a dinner celebrating the 20th edition of the CYAA Cup Regatta, which Iain along with his wife Annabelle was once again attending. Iain and Annabelle have attended nearly every Cup Regatta since the inception 20 years ago, missing only a couple of years along the way.
For those CYAA members fortunate to have attended Classic Yacht events in New Zealand as guests of the CYANZ, Iain always offers a warm welcome to visitors to Auckland, and routinely opens his house and heart to CYAA guests.
The camaraderie we enjoy saw three crews from Australia and New Zealand travel to the Isle of Wight in 2016 to participate in the British Classic Yacht Regatta. Iain along with Martin Ryan and Doug Shields was instrumental in making this trip happen, in what was an amazing experience for all involved.
On the water Iain is skipper of the Arch Logan designed gaff-cutter, Frances (1906), and is a regular competitor in CYANZ events
Life Membership of the association could not go to better person than Iain who has done as much as anybody in building and maintaining the special relationship that exists between the CYAA and the CYANZ, a special bond that will hopefully be be nurtured long in to the future.
Kia ora Iain.
CYAA
