The only World Cup event Kerttu Niskanen has won is the 10 kilometre race ©Getty Images

Kerttu Niskanen won her second women's distance event of the season as she took control of first place in the rankings, while Norway dominated the men's leaderboard at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Cross-Country World Cup in Falun, Sweden.

The Finnish star won her fifth World Cup event over a 10 kilometre distance, having also claimed a Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics silver in this discipline.

The 34-year-old secured victory in a time of 27min 8.05sec, which was 15.9 seconds quicker than Germany's Katharina Henning.

In third-place was Kjersti Anne Kalvå of Norway, who was 22.3 seconds behind.

Niskanen increased her lead over Jessie Diggins of the United States in the overall rankings for distance, as she now has 1,070 points to Diggins' 1,048.

"I felt stronger in Beitostolen [Norway, where she won earlier in the season] so winning was not really [on my mind] before the race, but still, it was a great day," said Niskanen. 

"I like the course here. 

"Nice uphills and, I’d say, OK, downhills for me!"

In the men's event, Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo claimed victory, his 16th overall win of the season, in addition to a gold at the Bakuriani 2023 World Championships.

He finished the race in 25:55.3, ahead of his compatriot Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, who was 10.7 seconds behind.

Norway dominated the leaderboard, as Harald Østberg Amundsen took the final podium spot, finishing 20.7 seconds behind Klæbo, while Paal Golberg, another Norwegian, took fourth.

Klæbo, who won his 63rd World Cup event, continues to add to his record of most wins in cross-country.

"It was a really tough race but also really fun," said Klæbo.

"The Norwegian guys had really great skis. 

"The grip, especially on the uphills, was amazing.

"It wasn’t many days [three] since we were in Drammen, [Norway, where he won the sprint] so really fun to finish up the season like this.

"We were more nervous about the weather conditions before the race, but when we’re out there racing it doesn’t feel too bad.

"I’m starting to get tired. 

"It will be nice with the sprint again tomorrow so just try to recover as fast as possible today now and take it day by day."

The sprint event is scheduled to take place tomorrow, as Klæbo looks to continue his dominance in Falun and secure the overall World Cup title.