The Italian faced fierce competition in the final with all three of last year's medallists lining up.

It was Martini, however, who crossed the line first in a time of 28min 13.67sec.

Last year's silver medallist, Eduardo Linares of Peru, had to settle for second once again.

He crossed the line in 28:41.12 while last year's champion, Spain's Adrian Miramon Quiroga, could not retain his gold medal and took third in 28:51.44.

Reigning bronze medallist Dennis Gustavsson of Sweden did not finish the race.

Two of the women’s solo medallists from 2016 were also racing once again this time around.

Ukraine's Diana Dymchenko sealed the gold medal, finishing 32 seconds clear of her nearest rival in 29:58.40.

Just as in the men's equivalent, the defending champion had to settle for the silver medal. 

Monica Dukarska of Ireland was well off the pace and claimed second in 30:30.78 while France’s Edwige Alfred, the bronze medallist last year, again finished third in 30:54.44.

In the women's double sculls, Russia's Iuliia Volgina partnered with Olga Khalaleeva to win the gold medal in 28:49.78.

Nathalie Collet and Diane Delalleau claimed silver for hosts France in 29:16.14 and Spaniards Maria Galvan Garcia and Natalia Miguel Gomez rounded out the podium in 30:00.07.

Coastal rowing is dubbed the "extreme" version of the sport and sees competitors race on choppy water.