The world and Olympic champion had already won the opening four events of the season and maintained his perfect record in Canada, hitting the front on the first lap of racing and refusing to relinquish his lead.

France's Titouan Carod and Germany's Manuel Fumic were able to keep touch with the leader until the fourth and final lap.

Schurter eventually broke their resistance to earn victory in a time of 1 hour 31min 51sec, wrapping up his fifth overall World Cup title with one race to spare.

France's Stephane Tempier came through to take the silver medal, ending 10 seconds behind the winner.

The podium was rounded off by Gerhard Kerschbaumer, with the Italian finishing in a time of 1:32:12.

Ukraine's Yana Belomoina continued her fine season in the women’s event, winning her third World Cup race.

The recently crowned European champion triumphed in a time of 1:17:50, with France’s Pauline Ferrand Prevot 44 seconds off the pace in second.

Home fans were able to cheer a podium finish for Catharine Pendrel, with the Canadian ending the event a further minute down.

Belomoina has now secured the overall World Cup title for the first time in her career, with her points tally of 1,050 now unassailable.

The World Cup season is due to conclude in Val Di Sole in Italy on August 26 and 27.