The 33-year-old triumphed at the Russian venue in the  sprint on Thursday (March 17) but came under huge pressure from France’s Marie Dorin Habert throughout the duration of the pursuit competition.

Mäkäräinen had endured a tough start to the competition, picking up a penalty in the first prone and then standing stations.

She remained in contention with Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, Dorin Habert and the Czech Republic’s Gabriela Soukalova after the opening two laps.

After clearing the final standing station, Mäkäräinen aimed to move clear of the field but was trailed by Dorin Habert.

The Finnish skier, though, was able to hold off her challenge to claim the race win in 30min 06.7sec, with her French rival 1.5 seconds adrift.

Wierer claimed the bronze medal, crossing the line in 30:12.4.

"I think two penalties for me is okay, it's 90 per cent, this is better than my average,” said Mäkäräinen.

“I had a lot of fun today, but we are all relaxed at the end of the season.”

After finishing second yesterday, Germany’s Simon Schempp was able to celebrate victory in the men’s 12.5km pursuit event today.

His speed proved pivotal to his triumph after he received three penalties throughout the race.

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe looked most likely to profit but Schempp put the penalties behind him to take the race win in 33:27.8.

Boe crossed 8.5 seconds down to take second.

Germany’s Erik Lesser won the bronze medal, finishing in 33:43.5.

Overall World Cup leader Martin Fourcade was a notable absentee from the event, the Frenchman skipping the competition to concentrate on the 15km mass start tomorrow.

The women’s 10km mass start is also set to take place tomorrow.

The races will bring the World Cup to a close for the season.