Oxford and Cambridge could be battling a strong crosswind when they go head-to-head in the 154th Boat Race on the River Thames later.
Oxford have won the 154th university boat race, on a choppy River Thames in the pouring rain.
Gusts of up to 40mph are expected at 1715 GMT when the crews set off from Putney for the finish line at Mortlake.
Oxford's oarsmen were heavier and taller than Cambridge, and had been the bookmakers' favourites to win.
Long-time observers of the race have compared the conditions to those that sank the Light Blues in 1978.
After Oxford took a slight lead in the first minute of the race, Cambridge pulled back and the two crews were neck and neck at Hammersmith Bridge.
Oxford are the favourites to win the race, but one bookmaker is offering odds of 16/1 that one boat will sink.
But by Chiswick, Oxford were ahead again, and finished the Putney to Mortlake course several lengths ahead.
William Hill is also offering 125/1 that both contenders will sink - which has only happened once in the history of the race, in 1912.
The win is Oxford's third in four years. Cambridge won last year's race, and still narrowly lead the total number of races held - by 79 to 74.
Spokesman Rupert Adams said the price of a boat sinking had started at 50/1 this year, and had changed four times since.
Slow race
Last year the bookie offered odds of 33/1 on a sinking.
The weather conditions meant Saturday's timings were never going to break records, and the winning team took 20 minutes and 13 seconds to finish the 4.25 mile course.
'Choppy waters'
It was the slowest race since 1947.
BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said strong south-south-westerly winds could make conditions "quite choppy" on some stretches on the Thames.
Cambridge's problems started early when they appeared to miss a stroke in the first minute, and Oxford pulled ahead.
"It is going to turn cloudier during the afternoon and by the time the Boat Race gets under way there may be a few spots of rain, but it's the wind that could be a problem.
But the bends in the River Thames are always crucial in this race, and Cambridge could still have taken the advantage.
"We could get gusts of between 30mph and 40mph and that's enough to make the water surface quite choppy, and it is those waves that have caused problems in previous years," he said.
Close at Hammersmith
Anyone driving a high-sided vehicle or towing a caravan, and those travelling on two wheels, are advised to take extra care Highways Agency
Statistically, 80% of crews which are ahead by Hammersmith Bridge go on to win the race, but this time they were neck-and-neck, with Cambridge just slightly in the lead.
Elsewhere, the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for Devon and Cornwall where severe gales and gusts of up to 70mph are predicted along with heavy rain.
But after Hammersmith, Oxford pulled out all the stops. By the time the they had reached a small island in the Thames called Chiswick Eyot, they were half a length ahead.
A spokesman said other areas up through north-west England and Wales would see "quite strong winds and even gales" in exposed coastal areas.
By the 13th minute, it was clear that unless they sank, Oxford were going to win. By Barnes Bridge they were in front by several lengths.
The Highways Agency advised drivers to allow extra time for their journeys and to check their route for delays.
In the end, the race was not close. The Oxford crew had time to compose themselves to give the customary three cheers to Cambridge when they crossed the line.
A spokesman urged motorists to be aware of the gusts of wind, especially on exposed roads and bridges, while heavy rain can cause spray and reduced visibility.
"Anyone driving a high-sided vehicle or towing a caravan, and those travelling on two wheels, are advised to take extra care," he added.
