Pinsent slams Lucerne Regatta

Pinsent (right) was not pleased in Lucerne

Britain's Olympic coxless four have complained about the conditions at Lucerne Regatta on the opening day's racing.

The crew which includes Olympic gold medallists Matthew Pinsent and Steve Redgrave eased their way to a win in their heat.

Following the race Pinsent raised his hand to protest to American umpire Ron Chen that wash caused by launches returning to the start of each race had interfered with the respective crews.

"There are not enough launches to cover the racing programme," said Pinsent.

"It can be unfair, when some crews get it worse than others, and there's just no need for it.

"This is the most important regatta in the world apart from the Olympics, and you get wash. It's just not on."

The heats of the coxless fours consisted of a high-quality field including all the finalists from last year's world championships in Canada.

Italy and France recorded faster times than Britain in winning their heats.