boat race 39th boat race took place april boat_race annual rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames race umpired cambridge rower oxford won margin seven lengths time minutes seconds taking overall record favour background boat race annual rowing competition university_of_oxford university_of_cambridge held competition mile race championship course river thames southwest london rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom worldwide oxford went race reigning champions having won previous year race lengths held overall lead victories cambridge excluding dead heat oxford coached rowed dark blues times race represented oxford races record cambridge coaches oxford boat manufactured preference built tested extensively practice umpire race rowed cambridge times starter crews oxford crew weighed average pounds opponents cambridge saw blues return including poor health prevented rowing race crew included non british competitor race australian brother charles competed race oxford crew contained individuals including rowing race race oxford firm pre race favourites having rowed course seconds quicker cambridge practice cambridge won toss elected start middlesex station handing surrey river oxford race commenced conditions described author oxford rower fine warm breeze north west cambridge better start taking lead canvas length minute oxford took lead clear light blues mile_post held length lead bridge cambridge encountered water according fell pieces oxford drew away win seven lengths time minutes seconds oxford consecutive win fastest winning time race result took overall record favour
The Boat Race 1882