Savialova's sweet return

Savialova, who won two bronze medals and one gold at the 2003 world championships in Val di Fiemme, beat out the Czech Republic's Katerina Neumannova by 0.50 seconds to claim the world pursuit title in a time of 41 minutes and 27.5 seconds.

Norwegian Kristin Stoermer Steira claimed bronze a further 0.60 seconds behind Neumannova as favourites Marit Bjoergen and Virpi Kuitunen faltered.

"I am very happy to again become world champion. My tactic in the classic was to stay in retreat and to not lose time. In the free I just tried to stay in the lead group," Savialova said.

"It was in the third lap that I decided to attack, even if I was afraid of my adversaries.

"I don't have any particular ambitions for the rest of the championships even though I plan to participate in the rest of the programme."

Finland's Kuitunen, who took victory in the team contest and bronze in the sprint, dumped Norwegian rival Bjoergen early in the race joining a group of break-away skiers, but was soon left behind herself.

Savialova, Neumannova, Steira and Germany's Evi Sachenbacher were the last four to reach a sprint finale, which the Russian easily dominated, denying the 30-km Olympic champion Neumannova a final major title before retiring.