Cox Nick Brodie - formerly of Abingdon School - hailed his crew as Oxford gained revenge for last year's defeat on the Thames by comprehensively beating Cambridge by six lengths on a choppy Thames.

Brodie's crew got off to a flier, but against the odds, were initially pegged back as Cambridge pulled ahead underneath Hammersmith Bridge.

But it was a brief foray at the front as Oxford hit back.

And the Dark Blues made the most of their weight advantage in the blustery conditions to win by 22 seconds - the slowest winning time since 1947.

It was a gruelling race in such poor conditions, Oxford crossing the line in 20mins 52secs, and Brodie admitted Oxford were below their best.

He said: "There were definitely some tense moments in the race where we weren't rowing very well.

"We were concerned as we weren't expecting them to be that fast for quite so long.

"But we managed to stick to what we were doing. We put in a good push along the island and moved through them fast."

It was also reason to celebrate for Oxford's Mike Wherley - at 35 - four years old than any previous Boat Race oarsman.

The American, who won three World Championships in the 1990s, came out of retirement after three years for the race.

"This is a great race and I loved taking part in it and it's fabulous with the win," he said.

"It was something I've always wanted to do and I had no idea it would be so much fun rowing for Oxford.

"We put some pressure on them early but we knew they would come back and when they did we just had to stay patient.

"We knew there would be a point in the race when we would have a chance to open it up and when we did we just had to step on them."