Stone canoe duo Joe Clarke and Adam Burgess into second round in Paris

Burgess, a complete novice in the event, fought his way through the repechage after finishing last in his heat.

While the latter, who won silver in last week’s canoe singles, is not expected to be among the medal contenders, Clarke very much is among the favourites for gold.

The 31-year-old, who missed out on a medal in Thursday’s K1 singles, was so comfortably ahead he was able to stop paddling for the final few metres of the course.

“I was just trying to get through that first round,” he said. “My tactics were to put the burners on for the first 20 or 30 seconds and then just save the arms for tomorrow.

"What I like the most about kayak cross is that it’s never over until it’s over. You will see people go from first to fourth, from fourth to first, with faults and mistakes coming in and you have just got to keep going. That’s the biggest thing you learn.”

Burgess, who like Clarke is a member of Stafford and Stone canoe club, revealed he had already achieved his target for the event.

“My goal was to make it to Sunday as no one wants to be one of the first eliminated,” he said. “I had a really good time out there.

“With my limited experience, I’m improving every time I get in the boat. I’ve got to give it my best and see what happens.

“Because it’s not my event and I’ve already finished my slalom, it will be hard to get up and go again for this.

“The main thing for me is that to get to paddle in front of this crowd again was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I had to take the opportunity with both hands and go and enjoy it.”