Martin Fourcade was on dominant IBU World Cup form ©IBU

Martin Fourcade and Marie Dorin Habert secured a French double on a day of pursuit action at the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup in Oberhof.

Two-time Olympic champion Fourcade had just one shooting penalty despite the windy conditions to win the 12.5 kilometres event in 36min 45.70sec.

Home hope Arnd Peiffer finished a distant second, 1:09.90 behind, despite partisan support in a sold-out DKB Ski Arena in German.

A fantastic tussle unfolded for third place which was won in the end by Italy's Dominik Windisch as he sprinted superbly to overcome five shooting failures to finish 1:32.40 back and 0.20 ahead of Norwegian biathlete Emil Hegle Svendsen.

Marie Dorin Habert replicated the success of her fellow countryman with a women's pursuit victory ©IBU
Marie Dorin Habert replicated the success of her fellow countryman with a women's pursuit victory ©IBU

Marie Dorin Habert completed the French double in the women's 10km pursuit to win in 34:33.30.

She suffered two shooting failures in comparison with three by second-placed Czech rival Gabriela Koukalová.

Koukalová, winner of yesterday's sprint event, finished 38.8 seconds behind after leading in the early stages.

Kaisa Mäkäräinen of Finland placed third with four penalties, 1:19.1 slower in the pursuit format.

Action is due to conclude tomorrow in the German resort with male and female mass start races.