Cambridge President Tom James said he was relieved to finish his Boat Race career on a high in today’s 153rd Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging.

James rowed in the 2003, 2005 and 2006 Boat Races – and Cambridge lost on each occasion.

But this time his crew raced to a one and a quarter length victory over Oxford.

“Having lost three times, it’s a great relief not to be in that situation again,” he said after today’s race.

“We were in our rhythm right from the start. It was harder than I thought, they were pushing so hard,” he added. “We knew it was going to be tough, but it was relentless.

“Coming down the stretch to Barnes Bridge was the decisive point. There was a real surge in the boat,” he added.

And he said he never doubted his crew would triumph.

“We’ve developed such a belief his week,” he said.