Austria reign supreme in single mixed relay

It was just the second time the single mixed relay has been contested this season and the Austrians crossed the line in a time of 31:35.1minutes to beat the USA by 32.8 seconds, with Germany in third.

The Americans, Susan Dunklee and Lowell Bailey, were in a strong position until Dunklee took a tumble on the downhill section of the third leg and once Hauser overtook her, the Austrians never looked back.

USA actually dropped into third – with the German pairing of Laura Dahlmeier and Roman Rees moving into silver – but Bailey used all his veteran instincts to overhaul Rees in the final metres and claim second place by half a stride.

Hauser and Eder finished second in the only other single mixed relay contested this season, back in Ostersund last November, but went one better despite incurring five shooting faults – four of those from Hauser.

"I was a bit concerned about the shooting," admitted Eder. "I saw that there was no wind at the last shooting and I kept going until I saw the last shot turn white."

And after securing a first World Cup victory, Hauser acknowledged that winning gold in the seldom-contested event was a real buzz.

"Already in Ostersund Simon and I were successful," she said. "For me it’s really amazing to be first.

"I like to be with Simon on the podium and I enjoyed every second of the flower ceremony."

Sportsbeat 2017