Kusurin thrilled with victory over rivals
Cambridge had won the toss and opted for the Surrey station
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Sunday, 29, Mar 2009 05:01
Oxford hero Ante Kusurin has hailed the win over Cambridge in the boat race as the "greatest victory of his life".
The Dark Blues stormed to victory by three and a half lengths in the 155th race.
In a repeat of last year's race, the crews clashed oars at the Chiswick Reach before Oxford surged ahead to win in a time of 17 minutes and two seconds.
Kusurin, one of five Olympians in the Dark Blues crew and a loser in 2007, said: "They were really good off the start.
"They took a length on the inside of the Surrey bend. I said: 'Let's go,' and all the boys kicked in.
"The right stuff came out and we went through them."
Meanwhile, Oxford president Colin Smith said it was a great feeling to beat their more experienced opponents.
"It's been a long and special journey to be here," he said.
"We stuck to a strong and aggressive strategy but Cambridge certainly came pretty close to making it their day.
"I wasn't concerned, I think Cambridge are a fantastic crew and there were a few hairy moments, but all the way along I knew we had good strength and it would take a lot to break us."