Alexander Ivshin won the under-20 30 kilometres mass start freestyle contest in Lygna, and a trio of leading Russians finished more than a minute ahead of the fifth-placed skier.

Saveliy Korostelev was dropped in the closing stages of the race and had to settle for second, 8.1sec behind Ivshin, while Nikia Denisov was third, 12.0sec behind the leader.

Nikita Rodionov, also Russian, was fourth and the only other athlete within a minute of the leader, crossing the line 59.2sec behind.

Canadian Xavier KcKeever was fifth and Henrik Kvennaas the best finisher for host nation Norway, in sixth.

Helen Hoffmann won the women's 15km race to continue a strong month for German cross-country skiing.

Germany won the women's team sprint classic gold and 4x5km relay silver medals at the recent Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Lisa Eriksson from Sweden was second, 2.6sec behind Hoffman after being dropped right at the end.

Yuba Anine Brusveen-Jensen of Norway completed the podium.

Today was the first of six scheduled days of racing, with under-20 relays on the agenda tomorrow.

Zakopane in Poland is due to stage the Nordic combined and ski jumping elements of the FIS Junior Cross-Country World Ski Championships next month.