The French team of Tessa Worley, Mathieu Faivre, Alexis Pinturault, Julien Lizeroux, Nastasia Noens and Adeline Baud Mugnier triumphed in the discipline which is due to make its debut on the Olympic programme at next year's Games in Pyeongchang.

France edged surprise finalists Slovakia in the big final.

"It was a challenge the whole day," said Worley.

"We had to fight against Sweden in the semi-finals and also the final was pretty close.

"We didn’t know this morning what our chances were, so to take away the gold medal is great.

"We are all very happy."

The silver medal was the first-ever for Slovakia in the team event and while it was a surprise to many, the Slovakian line-up was strong and included Veronika Velez Zuzlova, Adam Zampa, Adreas Zampa, Tereza Jancova, Matej Falat and Petra Vlhova.

"I feel like we won the gold today," said Velez Zuzulova after the final.

"We have never won a medal, and I personally have never won a World Championship medal so I’m really happy with how we as a team did today and that we get to stand on the podium."

Sweden took the bronze medal after they defeated hosts Switzerland, who were looking for their seventh medal of the Championships, 3-1 in the small final.

The team event saw skiers from each country competing against each other in parallel slalom races. 

Every round produced at least one upset with Slovakia setting the tone early on, eliminating Germany.

In the second round, Sweden defeated Austria before Norway fell to France and Slovakia overcame Italy.

In the semi-finals, Slovakia edged Switzerland in a tight contest, while the French edged the Swedes to make the final.

Today’s medals were the first for all three nations at this year’s World Championship, bringing the total number of nations to earn a medal so far to 10.

Tomorrow there are no races on the schedule at the World Championship, before giant slalom and slalom competitions occupy the final four days of action.