Russia's Sergey Ustiugov won the men's race, held over 30km, while the men's normal hill ski jumping crown went the way of Austria's Stefan Kraft on a packed day of action in the Finnish city.

The day's plaudits belonged to the formidable Bjørgen, who proves she remains one of the world's best at the age of 36 with another superb display.

The Norwegian, a six-time Olympic gold medallist, completed the course in a time of 37min 57.5sec to move one title ahead of the 14 amassed by Russia's Elena Valbe.

Finland's Krista Parmakoski did enough for silver as she was 4.8 seconds slower, while Sweden's Charlotte Kalla came through to take bronze.

"I kept little bit left so that I could keep control of the race at the end," Bjørgen said. 

"I heard the crowd that was cheering was Krista. 

"It was really special to ski against her on her home snow. 

"I did not know how close Kalla was. 

"I had bad exchange and I came behind the girls in the free technique. 

"To win gold medal today was in my mind for a long time and it’s amazing I succeeded."

Ustiugov, silver medallist in the sprint race in Lahti, got his hands on gold as he clocked 1hr 09min 16.7sec.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby was unable to replicate the feat of his compatriot Bjørgen as he finished in second, 6.7sec off the winning pace, while Norway's Finn Hågen Krogh earned bronze.

"It is a great achievement for me," Ustiugov said. 

"I was disappointed after the sprint so to win the gold medal is amazing. 

"It is not only my success - the whole team did a great job."

In the men's ski jumping, Kraft, bronze medallist in 2015, topped the podium with a score of 270.8 points.

The Austrian produced efforts of 99.5 metres and 98m to beat German duo Andreas Wellinger and Markus Eisenbichler.

Wellinger claimed silver on 268.7, while Eisenbichler earned a total of 263.6.

The Nordic Ski World Championships continue tomorrow with action in Nordic combined, cross-country and ski jumping events.