North Bondi Roughwater ocean swim has closest finish ever as thousands compete despite poor weather

OLLIE Signorini, beat more than 1000 others to the finish line in treacherous conditions at the North Bondi Roughwater open water swim on Sunday.

Close finish for Roughwater swim

OLLIE Signorini beat more than 1000 competitors to the finish line in treacherous conditions at the North Bondi Roughwater open water swim on Sunday.

The Collaroy-based swimmer won the 1km event, in what organisers called the ‘closest finish in race history’.

Signorini, who also won the 2014 swim, finished the race in 12:08, shaving more than three minutes off his time last year.

The start of the North Bondi Roughwater.

Mike Ollerenshaw took part in the North Bondi Roughwater

He didn’t do it without challengers, with a three-m, an sprint against Josh Stevens and Tom Montgomery saw the three men scrambling to cross the line first.

Montgomery came second and Stevens third.

Stefannie Gillespie took out the women’s open event, in 12:51, she was 22 seconds ahead of Phoebe Carter and Stephanie Carey who too the battle for second right to the finish line.

The 2km event had to be cancelled due to treacherous conditions.

Organisers said the murky conditions and heavy rain made it too dangerous for swimmers.

The North Bondi Roughwater took place despite wet weather. Picture: Carly earl.

Stefannie Gillespie crosses the line in the North Bondi Roughwater ocean swim. Picture: Carly Earl.

The ocean swim took place at Bondi Beach.

The ocean swim took place at Bondi Beach today.