With a clean shooting record, the Norwegian stormed to victory in a time of 20min 22sec, more than 15sec in front of Anaïs Bescond of France, who also hit all of her targets.

The French biathlete had just enough to hold off the emerging Swedish talent Elvira Öberg, who lost the chance of winning the gold with two penalty laps - but did take the bronze.

Austrian Lisa Theresa Hauser kept a clean shooting record for fourth, just in front of Kristina Reztsova of Russia, who had one penalty lap.

Dzinara Alimbekava and Hanna Sola of Belarus were sixth and seventh, followed by Swede Linn Persson in eighth.

Mari Eder of Finland and Hanna Öberg completed the top 10 in the women's 7.5-kilometre sprint.

Tomorrow competition continues with the men's sprint.