Norway cruised to victory in the youth men’s 3x7.5km relay, leading from the first leg until the last.

Martin Uldal, despite three penalty laps, gave them a 23 second lead over Ukraine and third-placed Russia.

Morten Toernblad Sameien had the slowest time of the trio, allowing Russia to close the gap as well as the Czech Republic, but most surprisingly of all, Poland’s Jan Gunka who finished a blink behind the leaders with both of their biathletes having a clean shooting record.

Gunka pulled back more than a minute on leg two but in the third leg Marcin Zawol struggled after being given seven penalty laps, dropping four places to sixth.

Despite individual silver and bronze medals, France’s Eric Perrot and Damien Levet were barely in the medal conversation, finishing fifth.

Individual champion Martin Nevland had a near-perfect record as he posted the fastest time in the race, around 15 seconds quicker than second fastest Gunka.

Pulling away from the ailing Poland and Russia, he maintained a comfortable lead to win his second gold medal of the Championships, with the consistent Czech Republic moving away from Russia.

In the women’s 3x6km race, the Norwegian trio were made to work hard for the gold in an incredibly tight affair with Italy.

Italy’s Hannah Auchentaller gave her team a sizeable lead heading into leg two, 10 seconds ahead of Slovenia who lead a train of Russia, Austria, Norway, France and Germany.

Within the space of two legs, Auchentaller and teammate Linda Zingerle both received four penalty laps each.

The Italians eight penalty laps ate into their lead with Norway’s Frida Dokken making the most of the company around her to take the lead.

Russia and Austria fell away from the pack as France moved into the bronze medal position ahead of Slovenia and Germany.

Maren Bakken had just a five second lead heading into her leg with Italy’s Rebecca Passler chasing.

The difference in the end came down to Passler’s two penalty laps compared to Bakken’s one, with the Norwegian team holding Italy off by just 1.4 seconds in a sprint finish.

Germany who were at the back of the three vying for the bronze medal, managed to come through for the final medal, 20 seconds behind Bakken.

This was thanks to a perfect record from their final leg with Selina Marie Kastl, who took advantage of Slovenia’s Ziva Klemencic’s penalty lap to comfortably move away from her.

Both teams got ahead of France, who struggled with five penalties in their final leg to end up in fifth place.