Both individual women's events in Hochfilzen, Austria, had already gone to Germany but the Italian line-up of Lisa Vittozzi, Karin Oberhofer, Federika Sanfilippo and Dorothea Wierer were able to prevail after a tense finish in the 4x6km event.

Germany's Franziska Preuss and Wierer were close rivals during the final loop, with Preuss literally stepping on the Italian's skis at one stage.

In the end it was Wierer who was both faster and stronger, sprinting away over the final 100 metres to win by just 0.2 sec with her country finishing with eight spare rounds. 

The Germans were perhaps left to rue a poor start which saw them drop to 14th after Franziska Hildebrand, the 7.5km sprint champion in Hochfilzen, used two spare rounds in the opening standing shoot. 

The Czech Republic claimed an early lead but fell away when Lucie Charvátová collected a penalty on the standing stage and their quartet eventually finished sixth.

Ukraine's team came through to take bronze.

Meanwhile, the men's 4x7.5m title went to Russia after a fast but measured final loop by Anton Shipulin saw his team home ahead of Norway and France respectively.

The Russians, also featuring Alexey Volkov, Evgeny Garanichev and Dmitry Malyshko, won by 3.1 sec ahead of their rivals.

Russia had six spare rounds and Shipulin played a key role on the final loop, overcoming a ten second gap enjoyed by Norway's Emil Hegle Svendsen.

The next IBU World Cup event of the season will take place in Pokljuka, Slovenia, between December 17 and 20.



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