Oxford have powered to victory in the 160th Boat Race on the River Thames.
One of the Cambridge rowers almost fell out of his boat and lost control of his oar as the two crews clashed in the early stages.
The incident allowed Oxford to surge forward and build up a comfortable lead.
The BNY Mellon Boat Race was watched by crowds along the banks of the Tideway, between Putney and Mortlake in west London.
Oxford has now cut Cambridge's overall lead to 81-78 in the series between the two famous rivals, with just the one tied affair still in the overall standings.
The winners came at a time of 18 minutes and 36 seconds.
Cambridge University rowing crew member Helge Gruetjen, of Germany, trains with his teammates on the River Thames in London, April 2, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Suzanne PlunkettOxford University's crew set off for a training outing on the River Thames in LondonOxford's cox Laurence Harvey is traditionally thrown into the Thames after Oxford won the BNY Mellon Boat Race on the River Thames, LondonOxford's crew celebrate winning the BNY Mellon Boat Race against Cambridge on the River Thames, LondonOxford Cox Laurence Harvey is thrown into the Thames by his crew after they won the BNY Mellon Boat Race against Cambridge on the River Thames, LondonCambridge's Luke Juckett looks dejected after the BNY Mellon Boat Race against Oxford on the River Thames, LondonCambridge's Luke Juckett (centre) loses control of his ore during the BNY Mellon Boat Race against Oxford on the River Thames, LondonOxford's crew cross the finish line to win the BNY Mellon Boat Race on the River Thames, LondonOxford's crew cross the finish line to win the BNY Mellon Boat Race against Cambridge on the River Thames, LondonCambridge's Number 2 Luke Juckett reacts after being beaten by Oxford in the 160th Boat Race on the River Thames in LondonA young man waits for the start of the 160th Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford on the River Thames in London April 6, 2014. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT ROWING EDUCATION)Cambridge's supporters look on as their team loses to Oxford in the 160th Boat Race on the River Thames in LondonThe Cambridge crew clash ores together with the Oxford Crew (behind) during BNY Mellon Boat Race on the River Thames, LondonMembers of the Cambridge team hug after being beaten by Oxford in the 160th Boat RaceThe Oxford University rowing crew celebrate after defeating Cambridge in the Boat Race on the River ThamesOxford's Karl Hudspith lifts the trophy after winning the BNY Mellon Boat Race against Cambridge on the River Thames, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday April 6, 2014. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA WireOxford rowers prepare themselves as they leave the river bank before the start of the BNY Mellon Boat Race on the River Thames, LondonMembers of Oxford's rowing team celebrate after beating Cambridge in the 160th Boat Race on the River Thames in London April 6, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Hackett (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT ROWING EDUCATION)Cambridge team members sit dejected after losing during the BNY Mellon Boat Race on the River Thames, London.Spectators crowd onto a rooftop by the River Thames before the start of the annual boat race between crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities in LondonThe Oxford University rowing crew practises on the River Thames in London, April 4, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Stefan WermuthThe Oxford University rowing crew practises on the River Thames in London, April 4, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Stefan WermuthThe Oxford University rowing crew practises on the River Thames in London, April 4, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Stefan WermuthThe Cambridge University rowing crew trains on the River Thames in London, April 2, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Suzanne PlunkettThe Oxford University rowing crew practises on the River Thames in London, April 4, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Stefan WermuthCambridge University rowing crew member Joshua Hooper of Australia takes a drink during a break in training on the River Thames in London, April 2, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Suzanne PlunkettCambridge University rowing crew members Mike Thorp of Britain (L), Luke Juckett of the U.S. (C) and Ivo Dawkins of Britain train on the River Thames in London, April 2, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Suzanne PlunkettA member of a recreational crew (C) looks on as the Cambridge University rowing crew train on the River Thames in London, April 2, 2014. The rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge will compete in the 160th Boat Race between the two universities on Sunday. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett
The universities first raced in 1829, and the Boat Race is one of the oldest sporting events in the world.
Oxford rower Karl Hudspith described the incident that crushed Cambridge's hopes of a win as "very unfortunate".
"It's a really awful way to end a whole year of training," he told the BBC.
He added: "I think we showed after the incident that we kept on pulling away. We put quite a big margin into them in the end.
"I think we were the better crew and that did show in some of our previous fixtures as well. Like I said, it's just unfortunate it had to end that way."
Reflecting on the incident, Cambridge's Steve Dudek said it was a "very, very difficult way to lose", but added: "That's the nature of the Boat Race."
Who is your sportstar of the year?
Vote in the Irish Independent Sport Star Awards and you could win the ultimate sports prize.
Prizes include, tickets to Ireland's against Scotland in the Six Nations, All Ireland football and hurling final tickets and much more.
