boat race 15th boat race took place river_thames march typically held annually event rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge race disrupted poor rowing collision barge won cambridge defeated oxford seven half lengths time minutes seconds background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues race held taken place mile championship course river thames southwest london oxford went year race reigning champions having defeated cambridge lengths previous year race cambridge led overall wins oxford cambridge coached fifth time light blues races oxford coach cox dark blues race coach fourth time race umpired rowed oxford twice march december races race starter crews oxford crew weighed average pound rower opponents rowing boat race light blues featured cambridge crew oxford crew included participants competed previous race including making appearance event race cambridge won toss elected start middlesex station handing surrey river oxford race commenced immediately oxford boat club president stroke caught crab completely brought cambridge took lead caught following clash port barge boats level crab tree pub cambridge began draw ahead passed hammersmith_bridge length half lead light blues continued increase lead passed flag boat seven half lengths ahead oxford time minutes seconds fastest time race held tide took overall record event cambridge favour hoped rematch conducted royal oxford failed crew cambridge went defeat winning grand challenge cup
The Boat Race 1858