Anne Kjersti Kalvå crosses the finish line as her team-mates join her to celebrate their victory ©Getty Images

Norway profited from a tired performance from Sweden to secure the women’s 4x5 kilometres relay classic cross-country skiing gold at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica.

Sweden were the favourites to clinch gold but were unable to respond to an inspired Norwegian team who stormed to the title in the Slovenian resort.

While Norway have been dominating the men's competition, the women had to wait until today to get their first taste of victory.

Tiril Udnes Weng, Astrid Øyre Slind, Ingvild Flugstad Østberg and Anne Kjersti Kalvå emerged victorious with a time of 50min 33.3sec.

"It was our goal at the start of the season to have this gold and now we have it, it just feels amazing," said Kalvå.

Østberg added: "I think I was the most pessimistic before the start.

"This was a dream come true.

"I felt strong in the last kilometre and just to try to give Anne Kjersti a little gap."

The German team of Laura Gimmler, Katharina Hennig, Pia Fink and Victoria Carl, claimed silver in 50:53.8.

Ebba Andersson broke one of her her poles on the second leg but Sweden managed to recover to earn bronze in 51:02.0.

"Thinking about all the circumstances during this relay, we are satisfied with the bronze medal," said Andersson who shared the podium with team-mates Emma Ribom, Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist.