Cambridge University overturned the odds to beat Oxford by clear water and win the 156th Boat Race.
The Light Blues, who raced from the Middlesex station after losing the toss, tasted victory on the Tideway for the first time since 2007.
It was a tight and memorable race as Oxford, who were chasing a hat-trick of victories, attacked Cambridge early and successfully negated the Light Blues' advantage in the first bend.
The crews briefly clashed blades as the race entered the Hammersmith bend, where Cambridge's attempted push last year faltered and ultimately handed victory to Oxford.
But this year it was the Dark Blues who failed to make the most of the sweeping middle bend which turned in their favour.
Cambridge kept pace, ensuring Oxford could not extend their lead beyond a quarter of a length.
And at Corney Reach, where the river turns back towards the Middlesex bend, Cambridge edged ahead and then pulled clear to win by more than a length.
Rob Weitemeyer, the Cambridge bow, was in the blue boat that tasted defeat 12 months ago and he revealed how much the pain of that experience influenced the Light Blues this time around.
He said: "We really focused hard on the second half of the race. We were well aware from the race last week that if you overcook the race in the first three kilometres it really hits you. We worked on economy, getting the most out of our power and staying calm, not needing to be in the lead to know it could come good at the end."
Oxford's coach Sean Bowden was happy with his crew's start, as they edged a quarter-length lead heading into the Surrey bend but he soon recognised the writing was on the wall. "It was lost because we didn't get enough on the Surrey bend at Hammersmith," he said.
