Oxford cox Zoe de Toledo has reiterated her belief Saturday’s Boat Race should have been re-rowed after one of her crew-mates broke his oar.

Dr Hanno Wienhausen, Oxford’s six man, had his blade snapped clean off in a clash 45 seconds after the race had been restarted following the intervention of a swimming protester.

Inevitably, Cambridge pulled clear to win one of the most eventful, controversial and dramatic Boat Races by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

De Toledo immediately appealed for the race to be re-rowed, but umpire John Garrett ruled the clash had been her fault and confirmed Cambridge the victors.

The Oxford crew did not conduct any interviews after the race as bowman Dr Alexander Woods received treatment, having collapsed through exhaustion. He has since been released from hospital.

But De Toledo released a statement yesterday urging Boat Race organisers to ensure no crew is ever made to complete the race a man down.

“Ultimately, it is just a tragedy that neither crew had the opportunity to display its best ability over the full course from Putney to Mortlake,” De Toledo said.

“We are devastated that we did not get the chance to find out what we were capable of achieving in the second half of the race, and many of us will never have that opportunity again.

“We are all extremely proud of the Boat Race as an event and a tradition, and accept bizarre events like those that occurred yesterday happen. That’s sport.

“Whilst I believe I will remember Saturday’s remarkable events for all the wrong reasons, I would not trade the friendships I have built with my crew-mates for anything.”

De Toledo was gesturing for Garrett to halt the race immediately after the clash of oars and she immediately appealed for a re-row at the finish line.

Garrett had been warning Oxford to move away from Cambridge’s boat before the clash.

De Toledo reportedly argued the rough water meant she could not move the boat back towards the Middlesex station, but Garrett dismissed the appeal.

“I could see a clash was going to be happening so I started to warn Oxford,” Garrett said.

“It was clear Oxford had come away from the clash much worse off than Cambridge. Before the clash took place, I was warning Oxford.

“Because I was comfortable Cambridge were in the right place I did not see it as grounds for stopping the race or doing anything other than let it run its course.

“Oxford appealed and were essentially asking for a re-row. I listened to their complaint, but I felt throughout the restarted race I was comfortable Cambridge were in the right position.”