World champions Norway continue domination in women's cross-country relay

Defending champions Norway surged from behind to continue their domination over the women's 4x5km relay in Planica on Thursday. It is the sixth time in seven championships the Norwegians have taken gold in this event, as Germany and Finland failed to hold onto their five-second lead at the halfway stage.

Ad Starting on the second row, Tiril Udnes Weng handed teammate Astrid Oeyre Slind a slender lead of two tenths of a second over the chasing Swedish team. Planica'Unbelievable!' — Norway storm to shock gold in the women's 4x5km relay5 HOURS AGO Slind extended Norway's advantage over the 2019 world champions but found herself overtaken by Germany's Katharina Hennig and Kerttu Niskanen of Finland.

Over the third leg, Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg needed to make up 5.6 seconds on the leaders, which the 32-year-old managed in style, leaving anchor Anne Kjersti Kalvaa with a 6.2 second headstart at the front of the pack. Kalvaa raced home to post a total time of 50:33.3, streets ahead of silver medallists Germany — 50:53.8 — and third-placed Sweden — 51:02.0.

Nevertheless, it was a historic performance from the German quartet of Laura Gimmler, Pia Fink, Victoria Carl and Hennig who claimed a first medal for their nation in this event since 2009. The Nordic World Championships continues until Sunday 5 March, with the men's 4x10km relay getting underway at 12:30pm local time on Friday.Sportsbeat 2023 Cross-Country SkiingKrueger skates to second world title with 15km winA DAY AGO World Championships'Absolutely incredible!' — Kruger wins again in 15km freestyleYESTERDAY AT 15:30