On 6-7th September 2018, The Machine Men accomplished the second SSO-recorded Relay-crossing of Lake Ontario.

The 3-man USA team of Chris Kraus (58), Rick Gaenzle (53) and Brian Ross (62) completed the 51 km swim from from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Marilyn Bell Park, Toronto in 19:42.

Team Captain, Chris, started the swimming at 9:47 a.m. and they then rotated in order (Chris-Rick-Brian) at one-hour intervals throughout the swim, so that Chris also provided the finishing leg of the 51 km swim into Marilyn Bell Park.

The water temperature ranged from 21.5°C at the start to 24°C, with most of the swim being around 23°C. There were variable winds for the first 5 hours creating 1 1/2 meter waves for the first two hours before dying down to provide a 8-hour period of calm; however, after 14 hours of swimming, strong northerly headwinds developed and produced some challenging conditions for both the swimmers and crew, with waves of almost a meter in the dark.