The German team of Vanessa Hinz, Maren Hammerschmidt, Franziska Preuss and Laura Dahlmeier crossed the line first in a time of 1 hour 9min 53sec.

France's Celia Aymonier, with a burst of speed in the closing stages, secured second for her team, 3.5 seconds in front of third place Norway.

Finland's clean-shooting Kaisa Mäkäräinen led the 23 teams throughout the first leg before Norway’s Hilde Fenne took control.

Fenne, however, collided with Germany's Hammerschmidt on a tight corner, which dropped the Norwegian back to fourth.

"After the fall, I just tried to do my best," said Fenne.

"I am not angry, as this can happen to anybody."

Hammerschmidt agreed with Fenne's assessment.

"We were fighting on the downhill, then I stepped on her skis or she did mine," the German said.

"I tried to get up and go very fast, because I thought someone was behind me."

Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Norway and France were all in contention for the podium at this point as just 15 seconds separated them.

As the race entered the final stages, Norway's Marte Olsbu and Dahlmeier found themselves competing for first with the German leaving the shooting range 10.7 seconds behind her rival.

Dahlmeier somehow managed to pass Olsbu just at the crest of the final uphill stage, to cheers of the home crowd, and went on to secure victory.

Aymonier then made her move as she passed Olena Pidhrushna of Ukraine to move into third before also overtaking Olsbu to secure second place.

Olsbu managed to hold on for third.

"It was a big fight at the last shooting, especially after my mistake," added Dahlmeier.

"I knew I had to control my pace; I was getting closer and closer.

"We are very happy with our first place."