Norway's Therese Johaug maintained her unbeaten record in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup with success in Toblach, Italy ©Getty Images

Norway's Therese Johaug remains undefeated in this season’s International Ski Federation (FIS) Cross-Country World Cup after claiming her fifth consecutive win in Toblach, Italy. 

Johaug’s victory in today’s women’s 10 kilometres classic interval start race came in a time of 27min 22.4sec and was the 25th World Cup win of her career.

She is now tied with compatriot Bente Skari for fourth on the all-time list, behind Norway’s Marit Bjørgen on 53, Russia’s Yelena Välbe 44 and Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk 34.

Johaug also now has 68 World Cup podiums in distance races, putting her level with Kowalczyk, 11 behind Välbe and 26 adrift of Bjørgen.

Despite winning five races in a row from March to December, this is the first time Johaug has ever accomplished the feat in a single season.

"I don’t think I have ever been in such a good shape in my life," she said.

Following Johaug onto the podium was Finland’s Krista Parmakoski, whose runners-up finish ensured her first individual World Cup medal since the 10km classic mass start in Val di Fiemme, Italy, in January 2013.

In third place was Norway's Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg, her fifth individual podium and sixth in total this season.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway has now won four men's distance competitions this season
Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway has now won four men's distance competitions this season ©Getty Images

There was further success for Norway in the men’s 15km classic competition as Martin Johnsrud Sundby maintained his 100 per cent record with a time of 35:27.4.

Sundby was one of many who opted for skate skis and double pole over the entire course after Kazakhstan's Alexey Poltoranin did so to win in Toblach last season.

He has now won four distance competitions this season with the last athlete to achieve that feat being fellow countryman Petter Northug in 2012-13.

The record for distance wins in one season is seven, achieved by Northug in 2009-10 and Kazakhstan's Vladimir Smirnov in 1993-94.

"I am really happy with the start of the season," said Sundby.

"It is a nice Christmas gift to win in Toblach."

Russia's Alexander Bessmertnykh earlier crossed the line on classic skis with a clear advantage and sat in the leaders chair for the next 34 finishers before Sundby eclipsed his time by 12.6 seconds.

The bronze medallist was another Norwegian, Sjur Roethe, 48.6 seconds behind Sundby.

The next stage of the World Cup is due to be the 10th Tour de Ski, which consists of eight races in 10 days, starting in Lenzerheide in Switzerland on January 1.