As Gene Machine prepared for her Atlantic crossing, the crew set themselves the task of ‘racing’ her on the yacht’s exercise bike, and cycling across the Atlantic to raise money for two charities, The Heart Research Institute and Duck and Drakes Cancer Trust.

With the 55-metre Amels 180’s initial route set to be from the Amels yard in Vlissingen, Holland to St Maarten in the Caribbean, the crew worked out they would have to cycle 21.5 kilometres per hour, 24 hours a day during the 17 day crossing, to match the yacht’s projected 4,736 nautical miles.

During the crossing Gene Machine diverted course to rescue the Minerva of Kip, a Bavaria 44 that had dismasted during the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers race she was participating in. The Gene Machine crew attached a tow line and continued on their journey, with the crew of Minerva of Kip safely on board.

An owner’s itinerary change meant that the yacht’s final destination changed to Antigua, but the crew were determined to cycle the miles they set out to, and the yacht and crew arrived into Antigua this morning, with the victorious crew 10 hours ‘ahead’ of the yacht, having cycled a total of 8,771 kilometres.

Huge congratulations to the crew on their momentous achievement, and to make a donation to the two charities please go to virginmoneygiving.com/GeneMachine.