The women’s race got off to a dramatic start, with the first restart since 2012.
Umpire Matthew Pinsent called a stop in the second minute after Oxford’s boat drifted into Cambridge’s lane, causing their oars to clash.
Oxford faced possible disqualification, but instead Cambridge was granted a third-of-a-length lead when the race restarted.
They then pulled away and finished comfortably ahead, bringing their total wins to 49 out of 79 women’s races held.
“I was absolutely clear in warning Oxford in the run-up to that,” said Pinsent.
“At that moment, with the two crews coming to a standstill, there was no way they were going to carry on racing.
“It crossed my mind [to disqualify Oxford], but you also can allow after a restart to see if it affected the outcome of the race. In my opinion, it did not affect the outcome of that race.”
Cambridge cox Jack Nicholas said: “I was holding a line and Oxford really encroached on that territory. I just held that line and held that line.
“We clashed – that’s just racing. And I guess they paid the price. That’s how it goes.”
Samantha Morton, stroke for Cambridge, said: “You prepare for a clash but you never really think it is something that is going to happen.
“You can probably count on two hands how many times it’s happened in the history of the Boat Race. When it happened I was honestly shell-shocked. I am feeling dazed.”
This marked the 10th year where both women’s and men’s races were held on the same day and course.
The event took place along the traditional route stretching four miles 374 yards from Putney Bridge to Mortlake, despite organisers mentioning earlier this week that water quality remained an “ongoing concern.”
