The quartet posted a first run time of 1min 5.18sec to lead the competition and they rubber-stamped their triumph with a faster second run of 1:04.55.

The combined time of the Olympic silver medallists was 2:09.73, enough to see off competition from three German teams, who took second, third and fourth positions respectively, with the best German quartet finishing 0.18 seconds behind the Latvians.

It means Latvia's team, led by Melbārdis, have extended their lead in the overall standings with a total of 1,060 points from five World Cup events.

Their nearest challengers are the runners-up in St Moritz, with the German team led by Francesco Friedrich on a total of 900 points, after their second place finish saw them move ahead of Alexander Kasjanov's Russian team, third in the standings on 882 points.

With just three events left of the World Cup, it would be a brave person to bet against Latvia claiming the overall win as they will seek to extend their lead at the next meeting due to take in La Plagne, France, next Saturday and Sunday (January 31 and February 1). 

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