Cambridge win the women's University Boat Race but the men lose

Cambridge Women's Ashton Brown (left) and Coach Rob Baker celebrate with the trophy after the Women's Boat Race on the River Thames, London. Credit: Steven Paston/PA Wire/PA Images

Cambridge University won the 2017 Cancer Research UK Women's Boat Race in record time after taking advantage of a terrible start by their rivals Oxford.

One of the Dark Blues crew got her oar stuck below the river which held them up, and they never recovered.

The Light Blues of Cambridge, who almost sank last year, went on to secure their first victory since 2012 by some distance, and in a record time of 18 minutes 34 seconds. It was their 41st win overall.

It was a much closer contest in the men's race, but Cambridge didn't have the best of starts.

Despite keeping pace throughout, the Light Blues couldn't overhaul the Dark Blues who clinched their fourth victory in the last five races by just over a length.