Boat Race 2013: Oxford overpower Cambridge in 159th race

Oxford captured the 159th Boat Race with a length-and-a-third victory over Cambridge on the River Thames.

Having lost last year's re-started race, the heavier Oxford crew won the toss, chose the southern Surrey station, and built an immediate lead.

The Dark Blues completed victory in 17 minutes 27 seconds, their ninth win in the last 14 editions of the race, to cut Cambridge's overall lead to 81-77.

It followed victories in this year's reserve and women's races for Oxford.

In bracing conditions, Oxford, who outweighed their opponents by 757.6kg to 736.4kg, never trailed on the 6.8km course, but Cambridge remained in contention with a spirited performance.

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 push.

That effort allowed Oxford to open clear water and they switched across to the optimum racing line to establish a commanding position they were not to relinquish.

The Dark Blues had been ahead when last year's race was stopped and then restarted because of the presence of a protestor in front of the two boats.

They subsequently lost an oar in a clash with Cambridge and were comprehensively beaten, but they fully earned their victory in the 2013 edition, turning the screw on the final part of the Surrey bend to finally break Cambridge's dogged challenge.

"It was fun, tough but that was what we expected. We had a plan and we stuck to it ruthlessly," said Oxford cox Oskar Zorrilla with six seat Karl Hudspith describing it as a "real Boat Race."

Oxford's crew also included 21-year-old Constantine Louloudis, who won the race in 2011 and was part of the Great Britain crew who won bronze at London 2012.

The Cambridge president George Nash, who confirmed this would be his final appearance in the race, paid tribute to Oxford and told BBC Sport: "They put together a really fantastic race, they put in one too many moves and we couldn't answer it which is something that is going to probably replay in my head for the rest of my life.

"I'm pretty proud of the guys the way they have committed. It wasn't pretty rowing at all but it was tough."