More than 100 people swam 5.5 miles across the Great South Bay today from the Fire Island Lighthouse to Brightwaters for the Maggie Fischer Memorial Cross Bay Swim. 

There were a total of 130 swimmers, and 19-year-old Billy Swartwout, of Amityville, won the race. Swartwout's dad swam the race 51 years ago.  

“I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am he is such a hard worker,” said dad Bill.  

The annual open water swim is put together in memory of Maggie Fischer. Fischer was supposed to compete in it in 1999 but died just before the race.  

Now every year they do it in honor of Fischer. Her dad, Bob Fishcer, is the event organizer. 

“It's not easy on my family to do this, and this is probably the best way for us to get over that incredible loss because we gained this huge family of friends and associates and all the things that come along with that.  It's been a wonderful experience, although it's kind of a tough one at the same time,” says Fischer.  

The second-place finisher was 17-year-old Mary McKenna, from Seaford.