Bø, winner of yesterday's shortened individual race, partnered Lars Helge Birkeland, Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, Erlend Bjoentegaard to victory in an overall time of 1 hour 16min 36.6sec.

The Norwegian quartet finished over a minute ahead of nearest challengers France, who took the silver medal, while bronze went to Russia.

Competitors were again faced with freezing conditions as temperatures plummeted to minus 18 degrees Celsius prior to the start of the race in the Canadian town. 

Organisers only gave the green light to the relay taking place as scheduled at a jury meeting owing to the cold weather.

The German trio of Vanessa Hinz, Franziska Hildebrand and Laura Dahlmeier secured the women's relay honours after they crossed the line in a total time of 1:10:16.3.

Norway were denied another victory on the second day in Canmore as they were forced to settle for silver, 30.2 seconds back.

The bronze medal was earned by France.

Victory for the German team gave Dahlmeier, winner of two Olympic gold medals at at  Pyeongchang 2018, her second triumph since returning from a health break.

Tomorrow's sprint races have been moved to Sunday (February 10) due to the freezing weather.

Temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius are forecast for tomorrow, below the permitted limit.

Under IBU rules, competitions must not be started if the air temperature dips below minus 20 degrees Celsius measured at the coldest part of the tracks.

If it is colder than minus 15, wind chill and humidity must be considered before starting the competition.