Federico Pellegrino (centre) celebrates his FIS Cross Country World Cup victory in Toblach today ©FIS/Nordic Focus

Federico Pellegrino laid claim to being the greatest Italian cross-country sprinter of all time by securing a fifth International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup victory today on home snow in Toblach as Norway's Maiken Caspersen Falla won the corresponding women's race. 

Pellegrino overhauled Britain's Andrew Young in the 1.3 kilometres freestyle final to win in 2min 29.57sec.

United States' Simeon Hamilton finished second, 0.48 seconds behind, while Young held off Switzerland's Jovian Hediger to take bronze, 0.84 seconds back.

The Italian's victory was a fifth World Cup win to match the record of Turin 2006 Olympic champion Christian Zorzi.

He has now set his sights on some the discipline's biggest names.

"It feels amazing to win on home ground," he said.

"I am very thankful to my supporters, I am ready to move on now to the level of [Ola Vigen] Hattestad and [Emil] Joensson."

Norway's reigning Olympic champion Hattestad has gained 13 World Cup sprinting victories since 2002, while Sweden's Joensson has claimed 12.

The bronze medal won by Young, a 23-year-old from Scotland, made him the first British skier to win a World Cup cross-country sprint medal.

 In 2008 he had been the youngest skier to compete in a World Cup event.

Maiken Caspersen Falla (centre) leaps for joy after leading home another Norwegian 1-2 ©FIS/Twitter
Maiken Caspersen Falla (centre) leaps for joy after leading home another Norwegian 1-2 ©FIS/Twitter

There were few surprises on the women's side as Maiken Casperson Falla prevailed once again over Norwegian team-mate Ingvild Flugstad Østberg.

The Sochi 2014 Olympic champion won in 2:47.28 to prevail by 0.17 seconds.

Sweden's Stina Nilsson took bronze 0.61 behind the winner. 

"It’s great to be on top again," said Falla.

"It was a battle last week and again this week.

"I think it will be a great battle all season."