Oxford see off Cambridge in Varsity Boat Race
Last Updated: 02/04/17 7:44pm
Oxford led from start to finish to win the Varsity Boat Race for the fourth time in five years.
Although Cambridge stayed in the hunt for the majority of the contest, Oxford never slackened their grip on the lead and were always in control over the Putney to Mortlake course.
During the early stages the two boats were often just yards apart, with oars clashing on more than one occasion.
Oxford, who won the toss and started from the Surrey station, led by three seconds after 10 minutes of racing, and their advantage was still only around one length by Barnes Bridge.
However, Cambridge were never able to close the gap as Oxford crossed the finishing line with a winning margin of 1¼ lengths - the closest since an identical margin in 2007.
And Oxford's time of 16 minutes and 59 seconds was the fastest for 12 years as they closed the gap in the overall historic standings to 82-80 in Cambridge's favour. Oxford had gone into the race the lighter crew by 26kg.
In the women's race, Cambridge posted a record time in destroying Oxford by 11 lengths.
Cambridge clocked 18 minutes and 33 seconds to end a run of four straight losses registering only their second success during the last 10 years.
Cambridge won the toss and selected to start from the Surrey station on the south side of the Thames.
And victory was assured fairly early on as Cambridge opened a sizeable lead, long before they reached Barnes Bridge.
Oxford crossed the line 31 seconds behind their rivals in this the 72nd instalment of the race, trailing 30-42 in the overall standings.
Before either race could be staged, specialist officers had to remove a submerged bomb that was spotted by a member of the public on Saturday and examined by marine experts.
