 Oxford 's stroke Martineau responded to a push from Cambridge and were nearly a length ahead as both crews passed the Harrods Furniture Depository . Another spurt from the Light Blues saw the lead reduced to one @-@ third of a length by the time the crews passed below Hammersmith Bridge in a record time . Reducing the stroke rate to cope with the rough water , Oxford had increased their lead to three @-@ quarters of a length by Chiswick Eyot , yet were back to a half @-@ length lead by Chiswick Steps as the Light Blues coped better in the conditions . Along Duke 's Meadows Cambridge closed the gap and " the crews raced stroke for stroke " , with the Light Blues taking the lead . The crews passed below Barnes Bridge with Cambridge holding a length 's advantage and out @-@ rated their opponents , who kept rowing to the end . Cambridge won by two lengths in a time of 19 minutes 9 seconds , their seventh consecutive victory and the eleventh in the previous twelve years . It was the fastest winning time since the 1924 race , and the fifth @-@ fastest time in the history of the event . 
