boat race 4th boat race took place river_thames april held thames formed assist selection oxford crew cambridge won race quarters length lead overall record background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues race held takes place river_thames southwest london following heavy defeats races order improve selection crew formed april university governed college boat club captains initial letter challenge delivered cambridge oxford february considerable discussion mainly restriction crew selection date race april agreed sixteen days prior race race oxford cambridge commodore royal thames yacht club referee race place quarter mile stretch thames crews oxford crew weighed average rower pounds man opponents cambridge saw cox return oxford crew contained veterans race race oxford won toss elected start middlesex river handing surrey cambridge race commenced acting starter number blocking route oxford good start took early lead wake caused rough water crews struggled maintain consistent rhythm lead extended time crews passed nearly lengths spread eagle pub point cambridge began reduce deficit following warning steering umpire boat oxford cox steered path cambridge light blues maintained course oxford forced cambridge restored started pull away despite suffering rough water wake steamer bridge cambridge maintained lead passed centre arch quarters length ahead oxford winning time minutes seconds victory took overall lead favour cambridge
The Boat Race 1840