The venue has undergone intense preparation for the upcoming World Championships in 2021, with excellent feedback from the competitors. 

"That the course setting has changed I think is a big favour for me," Johaug said. 

"The track setting is really nice and I think they have done a really good job so we are really looking forward to the World Championships."

It does not seem to matter which venue Johaug competes at, as she equalled Marit Bjørgen's all time-record of eight World Cup skiathlon victories. 

Despite strong competition from the likes of Ingvild Flugstad Østberg and Heidi Weng, as well as Austria's Teresa Stadlober, Swede Ebba Andersson and Natalia Nepryaeva of Russia, the result was never really in doubt. 

Johaug took gold in 40min 05.2sec, with compatriot Østberg in second in 40:20.7 and Stadlober in third in 40:20.8.

In the men's 30km competition, the favourite Alexander Bolshunov came through after an exciting finish. 

It was the Russian’s 10th victory in the individual distance competition.

Going into the final uphill it was still nip and tuck, but Bolshunov used his sprinting skills to just edge victory in 1 hr 13min 40.6sec.

Norway’s Simen Hegstad Krueger came second in 1:13.41.5, with his compatriot Sjur Roethe finishing third in 1:13.41.8.

The event concludes tomorrow with the sprint competitions.