Johaug continues winning streak to lead Norway to relay glory

In the women's 4x5km on home soil in Beitostolen, the Norwegian quartet of Heidi Weng, Johaug, Ragnhild Haga and Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg were too strong for their opponents as they crossed the line in a time of 57:23.6 minutes.

For Johaug, it was a fifth win in seven World Cup races since her return from a doping ban, while she also finished top of the overall standings at the end of the Nordic Opening three-day mini tour.

After the first leg, Weng was 7.3 seconds behind leaders Russia I but halfway through the second leg, Johaug had eradicated the Russian lead and given the Norweigans an advantage they would never surrender.

"I think I produced a good leg," said Johaug. "I thought I should use the start of the stage to get myself into the race.

"Then I would put pressure on the leaders during the second section. I am pleased that I managed to get into first and give Ragnhild a ten-second lead."

Haga extended that advantage on the third leg before handing over to Oestberg, who stormed further clear to triumph by 37.3 seconds.

However, it wasn't Russia I who took second as Anna Nechaevskaya faded badly on the anchor leg to cross the line in fourth – instead Russia II (Lidia Durkina, Anna Zherebyateva, Mariya Istomina and Elena Soboleva) surged into silver with the Finnish quartet of Johanna Matintalo, Krista Parmakoski, Riitta-Liisa Roponen and Eveliina Piippo taking bronze.