Club president Colin Smith spoke of his delight as Oxford stormed to victory to extend their Dark Blue dynasty on the River Thames in London.

Oxford, the heaviest crew in the race’s 180-year history, won their fourth race in five years and seventh this decade by three and a half lengths.

Cambridge, who had opted for the Surrey station after winning the toss, recovered from a fluffed first stroke to negate Oxford's advantage of an inside line on the opening bend.

They nudged clear at the Harrods Depository at the start of the sweeping Surrey bend and after passing under Hammersmith Bridge their lead was three quarters of a length.

But the Light Blues' push to establish clear water was thwarted by a clash of oars which disrupted their rhythm and Oxford made them pay.

Oxford, featuring five Olympians including Smith, who won silver with the British eight in Beijing, began hauling Cambridge in around Chiswick Reach.

And once the Thames turned back in Oxford's favour for the final bend, Cambridge's challenge had been snuffed out and the Dark Blues pulled clear for an emphatic victory.

Smith said: "It was a really tough race, especially by halfway and Cambridge came close to making it their day.

"The difference between the two crews today was our power, aggression and stickability.

"All the way along I knew we had good strength and it would take a lot to break us and that really showed.

"By choosing Surrey, Cambridge knew that they had to win by halfway.

"So as long as we hung in there and rowed to our potential and rowed with rhythm, it was going to be tough for them physically and psychologically."

Cambridge cox Rebecca Dowbiggin, competing in her third and final Boat Race, steered an intelligent line to earn that early advantage.

"I couldn't believe how well we were moving through them.

"I thought we were going to pull off some kind of a fairytale ending, but then it just didn't happen," she said.