boat race took place march held annually boat race rowing race crews universities oxford cambridge river thames cambridge won seven lengths took victory years fastest winning times history event isis won reserve race oxford victorious background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues held race takes place mile championship course river thames southwest london rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom broadcast worldwide oxford went race reigning champions having beaten cambridge quarter lengths previous year race cambridge held overall lead victories oxford despite oxford having won previous races women boat race took place annual fixture 1960s contest conducted race held river_thames day men main reserve races reserve race contested oxford isis boat cambridge boat held usually takes place prior main boat race race sponsored tenth consecutive year estimated worth boat club umpired cambridge rower crews oxford crew weighed average pounds rower cambridge cambridge crew featured rowers age oxford men oxford saw blues return cambridge welcomed cambridge crew featured international rowers canadians gibson wilson oxford oldest race age accompanied boat international rowers clark united_states jones australia oxford coach cambridge relied canadian olympic coach cambridge clear favourites win prior race claimed crew pulled contention sheer hard work races oxford won toss elected start surrey station predicted severe wind start cambridge pulled ahead half length lead end length lead hammersmith_bridge cambridge cox burton steered safer surrey extending cambridge lead seconds continuing pull away cambridge passed finishing post seconds seven lengths ahead oxford sixth fastest time history race cambridge victory years took overall record favour cambridge reserve race oxford isis beat cambridge lengths oxford won 41st women boat race reaction trophy presented cambridge student cambridge stroke said initial start built strokes away added stirring tea work cambridge cox burton noted went wanted oxford jones remarked prepared year found magic conceded oxford best lost race
The Boat Race 1986