Coulanges, who finished as runner-up in last year's event, recorded a time of 3min 16.056secs in the men's session at the Championships in Pampilhosa da Serra.

His compatriot Baptiste Pierron was just behind him, while Austria's Andreas Kolb was 1.403 seconds off the leader. 

Farina dominated the women's event, setting down a time of 3:36.359.

Her nearest opponent was fellow Italian Veronika Widmann who was 7.332 seconds behind, while Switzerland's Camille Balanche was 7.560 seconds off Farina.

Defending champion Monika Hrastnik of Slovenia was off the pace, finishing in fifth. 

The medal event will take place tomorrow.