Post date: Apr 07, 2012 3:40:43 PM
LONDON, UK (APRIL 7, 2012) (BBC) -The 158th annual Varsity Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge was dramatically halted on Saturday (April 7) when a swimming intruder in the River Thames was almost hit by the Oxford boat.
The intruder was detained and the race umpire ordered a re-start from around the halfway mark.
The race began again after about 30 minutes but there was more drama a minute into the contest when the crews' oars clashed and one of the Oxford rowers ended with a broken blade.
That effectively ended Oxford's challenge and Cambridge sprinted away to win by several lengths.
Afterwards, Oxford's Alex Woods had to be lifted from the boat and given medical treatment, so the presentation was cancelled.
A swimmer in the River Thames stops the Boat Race then Oxford break an oar in collision after the restart so Cambridge win.