World No 3 Nicolas Gestin of France powered into the men's canoe slalom single final on Monday, registering a time of 93.12 on his semifinal run, more than three seconds faster than his closest rival.
Miquel Tave of Spain had long held the lead and Britain's Adam Burgess slotted comfortably into second place at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Centre, but Gestin rocketed through the course on the last run of the day to snatch the top spot.
Burgess was cheered on from the bank by teammate Kimberley Woods, who won bronze in Sunday's women's kayak slalom single final, and he will be hoping to at least match her performance in the final later on Monday.
Yves Bourhis of Senegal pulled off another aggressive descent to finish ninth and book his spot in the decider, his country's first Olympic finalist in the discipline.