Sir Matthew Pinsent believes Britain's coxless four will view it as a "disaster" if they don't win gold in Beijing.

The event has been dominated by British rowers since 2000 when Pinsent and Sir Steve Redgrave were part of the crew, and their victory was followed up with gold in Athens four years ago.

The task of maintaining that tradition has fallen to the quartet of Andy Triggs Hodge, Steve Williams, Peter Reed and Tom James, who are the event favourites ahead of the qualifying heats which start tomorrow.

Pinsent, who won four Olympic titles during his career, said: "They would see it as failure if they don't win gold, they're not going for silver and bronze.

"After the Athens Games, the coxless four guys would have felt the mantle of being in such an iconic boat. But by now they have developed their own confidence and racing tactics.

"They know past success will not win them races in the future, they want to create their own history.

"They are deserved gold medal favourites in their own right, nothing to do with what Steve and I achieved in the same boat.

"They feel they should win gold because they were world champions in 2005 and 2006, anything other than victory would be a disaster for them.

"The New Zealanders and the Dutch are the ones to watch out for but this event is so strong now, probably four or five boats will fancy their chances."

A total of 14 rowing events are staging their qualifying heats at the Shunyi Park venue this weekend including the women's quad skulls where expectations are high for the British boat.

Crew member Katherine Granger is hopeful of securing Britain's first ever women's rowing medal after the team claimed silver in Athens before going on to win a hat-trick of world titles.

Granger said: "We have a lot of confidence from the results we have had in the past.

"We have had some fantastic performances over the three years but we all know that when we get to the start it will very much be a clean slate.

"Getting gold at any Olympics Games is tough - that is why the challenge is so special. But we have settled into our base camp and have done everything we can."