Skar takes maiden World Cup win in photo finish

The Norwegian crossed the line just 0.03 seconds ahead of the USA's Simeon Hamilton, who bagged his second sprint podium finish in a row.

Third place was taken by Skar's Norwegian compatriot Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who finished 0.66 seconds behind.

Paal Golberg, who failed to make the final in Toblach, continues to lead the overall sprint standings, with Sergey Ustiugov and Finn Haagen Krogh in second and third respectively.

Skar said: "It's a great feeling to win a World Cup. I was pretty sure I had won but had to wait for the photo finish to know for sure.

"It was a crazy race today. I had no idea if I could win coming down the final hill but I did my best and was able to get the win."

In the women's event, Russia's Natalia Matveeva edged victory in a dash to the finish line.

In what was her second career individual sprint win, Matveeva finished in a time of 3:04.13, just 0.08 seconds ahead of overall sprint leader Maiken Caspersen Falla who placed second.

Sweden's Hanna Falk completed the podium line-up with her third top three finish of the season, 2.41 seconds behind the winner.

Falla continues to lead the overall sprint World Cup standings on 352 points, having opened up a healthy gap over Falk, who sits on 192, with Matveeva in third on 190.

Matveeva said: "I am very happy with the win. I would like to thank my service men and my coach Kramer. Thank you for this."

Falla added: "I did not feel particularly good today, second place is nice but it is of course not so nice for me to be beaten on the home stretch."

Sportsbeat 2017