Matthias Kyburz shared men's sprint gold with Daniel Hubmann at the European Orienteering Championships in their native Switzerland ©Getty Images

Switzerland's Daniel Hubmann and Matthias Kyburz shared victory in the first medal race at the European Orienteering Championships in Ticino, Switzerland, as they recorded identical times in the men's sprint.

On a day when Tove Alexandersson of Sweden won gold in the women's event, the two Swiss competitors were never less than a few seconds apart between the intermediate markers, and they finished in exactly the same time - 14min 44sec.

It was a hugely successful day for the hosts in the men's event as Switzerland filled four of the top six places.

Britain's Kristian Jones claimed bronze, 15 seconds behind.

Sweden's Tove Alexandersson earned her first women's sprint gold at the European Orienteering Championships in Switzerland ©Getty Images
Sweden's Tove Alexandersson earned her first women's sprint gold at the European Orienteering Championships in Switzerland ©Getty Images

Alexandersson started fast and was in the lead through the entire course.

This was her third individual European Championships gold, but the first senior title over the sprint distance.

At the finish she was 24 seconds faster than home athlete Judith Wyder, making an impressive comeback having recently given birth.

Russia's Natalia Gemperle was third, 11 seconds behind Wyder.

The Swiss women matched the men as they filled five of the first 10 places.

The event, doubling as the first International Orienteering Federation World Cup of the season, continues with the middle distance events on Wednesday (May 9).