Dominant Norway take ladies team relay in La Clusaz

Opening the race in France, Oestberg ensured her country were to lead from start to finish, leaving the field in just the very first lap of the race – an advantage they never looked like relinquishing.

With Marit Bjoergen, Ragnhild Haga and Heidi Weng taking up the baton, the Norweigans continued to go from strength to strength, eventually crossing the line in 39:29.3 minutes.

That saw them stop the clock 50.2 seconds ahead of Finland, with them and Sweden – who finished third – moving clear in the third leg in the battle for remaining podium positions.

And with the two scrapping for glory, it came down to Laura Mononen to break clear, taking the leg 24 seconds quicker than Swedish counterpart Anna Dyvik to take second.

Russia, Germany and Switzerland rounded out the top six, while hosts France were forced to settle for 13th place.

"It was so much fun to clap hands with spectators on the home stretch," said Norway's Weng.