Soule, the IPC's Athlete of the Month for January, continued the form that has already seen him win classic sprint and short distance races in the Japanese resort by edging home a strong field in the classic long distance event.

The 35-year-old finished in 45min 10.2sec to end up six seconds clear of Canada's Chris Klebl, while team mate Daniel Cnossen was a further 24 seconds back in third to complete a North American cleansweep.

But it was the Canadian flag which was raised in two other events as, first Brittany Hudak claimed her second win of the week by triumphing in the women's standing event, finishing a mammoth four minutes ahead of home hope Yurika Abe.

World Championship bronze medallist Ekaterina Rumyantseva of Russia took bronze.

Brian McKeever, pictured winning gold at Sochi 2014, was another Canadian winner in Japan ©Getty Images





Paralympic legend Brian McKeever then followed in Hudak's path, by winning, along with guide Graham Nishikawa, in the visually impaired category, by an even larger five minute margin ahead of Eirik Bye and KM Hellerud of Norway.

There were also wins for Russian star Vladislav Lekomtcev in the men's standing class, while, in sunny conditions just above freezing, Norway's Mariann Marthinsen avenged United States rival Oksana Masters for defeats earlier in the week by winning in the women's sitting event.

Races are due to continue tomorrow with sprint freestyle action.

The World Cup season concludes next with biathlon and cross-country finals in Surnadal, Norway, from March 16 to 22.

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