The annual boat race between British rivals Oxford and Cambridge is known throughout the world, but neither of their eights made the final of the European Universities Championship in Moscow.
It was the Russian student crew from the Saint Petersburg State University who cruised to an impressive victory in the home event.
With memories still fresh from beating reigning world champions Germany in Saint Petersburg in June, the Northern Russian team edged ahead of their French rivals.
Just two seconds made the difference between the teams in the two-kilometer race.
The final showdown topped the bill at the annual tournament, which was staged in Russia for the first time since its inception half a dozen years ago.
Almost 500 student athletes from 15 countries took part in the European Universities Championship this year.