The two athletes finished the women's 1.2 kilometres sprint final in an identical time of 2min 18.65sec.

Multiple television replays were used to determine the winner but they could not be separated as organisers awarded both athletes the victory.

Norway's Maiken Caspersen Falla came through to take third behind the drama which unfolded in front of her.

Heidi Weng of Norway remains the overall leader in the race for the overall World Cup crown as she has 1,254 points.

Weng's team-mate Ingvild Flugstad Østberg follows in second place with 1,087, while third is occupied by American Jessica Diggins on 852 points.

"It's so great to win again," Van der Graaff said. 

"I have told myself to believe that it was possible and now I have two wins this season. 

"I didn't realise Sophie was so close at the finish. 

"It's kind of fun to share the podium with her - I have never heard of that happening before."

While there was a surprise outcome in the women's event, the men's 1.4km sprint race followed a familiar pattern as Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo secured his ninth win of the season in 3:02.66.

Lucas Chanavat of France was 0.48 adrift in second and Sweden's Calle Halfvarsson held on for bronze.

The triumph for Klaebo saw him extend his healthy lead at the summit of the overall standings as he now has 1,112 points.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby, also of Norway, is second on 875 points and Switzerland's Dario Cologna is third on 833.