A gala fundraiser that pitted America’s Cup sailors against each other in a “grind-off” has helped raise more than $100,000 for Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute’s educational programmes.

Graeme Spence of Oracle Team USA, Luke Parkinson of Artemis Racing and Simeon Tienpont of Softbank Team Japan battled it out on the “grinding machine” — a gruelling piece of sail training apparatus.

The semi-final came down to Artemis Racing and Oracle Team USA, with Oracle the winner, clocking in the longest distance on the grinding machine.

Gala guests had an opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket, with the prize being a tour of the winning grinder’s base.

Guests enjoyed an aerial hoop display produced by Rockfire Productions called “Lyrafish: Invasion” and featured aerial performers Sophia Canonnier and Kallie Marcus.

Lionfish cakes were served as a canape.

A silent auction was filled with everything from a 90-pound wheel of Parmesan cheese from Little Venice to autographed Oracle Team USA gear and a live auction prize of a ride on Turbo — the test boat of Artemis Racing. The evening concluded with music from Felix Todd and Tony Brannon of The Big Chill.