The Slovakian triumphed by 33.9 seconds over the 7.5 kilometre distance in the French resort after shooting clean throughout.

Laura Dahlmeier of Germany placed a distant second.

Vita Semerenko of Ukraine took third place, 41.4 seconds behind the winner.

It came in a competition taking place under cloudy skies and a light snowfall and breeze.

This created conditions which became increasingly soft as the race unfolded.

Kuzmina won her second successive World Cup race after a 10km pursuit win in Hochfilzen yesterday.

Action will continue tomorrow with the men's 10km sprint.