Alexandra’s Finn Butcher (29) has become an Olympic champion after winning gold in the kayak cross overnight in France. 

He led the final from the outset winning by a considerable margin over Great Britain’s Joe Clarke and Noah Hegge, of Germany.

In the NZ Team blog Finn said to finish in front was "insane". 

"I just couldn't believe it. I'm so stoked. Just a kid from Alex on top of the world! It feels special to bring it home.

"I knew I had to execute the last upstream and then it would be as good as gold. All the way down the course, the New Zealanders were running beside me, screaming, so loud - they pushed me to the end."

He said it was hard to believe he'd found himself alone in front. 

"When I realised that, I had a massive adrenaline dump. I looked back and realised I was actually winning this thing.”

Finn came in second in the semi-final to make it to the final and was ranked ninth in the world prior to this event. 

Finn, a former Dunstan High School student, practiced his skills in the Mata-Au (Clutha) River whitewater course and with the local club. He is an inspiration to many up-and-coming paddlers including Central’s Nick Collier. 

Luuka Jones at her fifth Olympic Games, came fifth in the women’s B final after missing a gate in her semi-final and getting disqualified. 

Paris 2024 is the first time kayak cross has been included in the Olympics. 

New Zealand's medal table now features three golds, five silver and one bronze.

The Central App will catch up with Finn once he’s back in Central. 

Read more: Local Finn Butcher in kayak cross quarter final at Paris Olympics

Read more: Collier achieves top 10 finish