In a thrilling contest, Oxford has beaten Cambridge in a traditional boat race, avenging last years' dramatic loss in the contest that evokes intense passion and rivalry between the two great institutions.
It was sweet revenge for Oxford in the 159th University Boat Race yesterday as last year it was left feeling aggrieved and angry after they had lost one of the most controversial boat races in history.
The boat race is an annual rowing race between the Oxford University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Boat Club, rowed between competing eights on the River Thames in London.
After last year's traumatic events, involving a swimming protester, a broken oar and concluding in one of the participants being rushed to hospital, this years' race passed off without extraneous intervention.
Oxford, who won the toss and opted for the Surrey station, made a strong start and finally broke a spirited Cambridge effort just as the river turned towards the finish at Barnes Bridge, the Independent reported.
The race was ferociously fought between Oxford (Dark Blues) and Cambridge (Light Blues).
Oxford led by half a length by the time the crews reached Fulham Football Club, where the river began to bend in Cambridge's favour.
The Oxford team moved sharply in on Cambridge as they entered the corner. Both crews were warned for overlapping oars by the umpire Matthew Pinsent, a four-time Olympic champion and two-time boat race winner with Oxford.
Oxford looked to break Cambridge as the river began to turn in their favour but the Light Blues fought back with a 20-stroke push just before Hammersmith Bridge.
Henry Fieldman, the Cambridge cox did well to keep the Light Blues in touch by the half-way mark at Chiswick Eyot.
Oxford led by two-thirds of a length past Chiswick Steps but just before the river began to turn into Cambridge's favour the Dark Blues produced the decisive move.
That push allowed Oxford to open clear water, they moved across onto the optimum racing line and then pulled clear to win.
Oxford cox Oskar Zorilla put their victory down to an "indestructable and devastating rhythm" before being thrown, in the traditional manner, into the Thames.
"Eventually they put in one too many moves, they asked too many questions and we were just unable to come up with the goods," Cambridge president George Nash told the BBC.
