The Finnish athlete prevailed at the conclusion of the three kilometre event, which featured a network of ski tracks and paths at the ski resort.

Koskela crossed the line in a winning time of 12min and 12sec to top the podium in the sprint distance race.

The double silver medallist in last season’s World Championships was followed by Russia’s Mariya Kechkina, who ended three seconds off the pace.

Tove Alexandersson completed the podium positions, with the Swedish star ending in a time of 12:20.

Russia proved the dominant nation in the men’s competition, which was held over a longer four kilometre course.

Andrey Lamov triumphed in the event in a time of 13:37, with the Russian followed by his compatriot Vladislav Kiselev who was five seconds down.

Bulgaria’s Stanimir Belomazhev won bronze in 13:44.

Action will continue tomorrow with middle-distance races providing the focus of attention.

Competition will conclude the following day when the men’s and women’s mass start races are held.

The event is the first of three World Cup rounds to take place during the season, with the second due to be held at Velingrad, in Bulgaria, during February.

Craftsbury, in the United States, will stage the final World Cup in March.

A Team World Cup title will also be awarded at the end of the three rounds, which will comprise two mixed relay sprints, as well as one men’s and a women’s relay.