Eckhoff hit all 20 targets at a major event for the first time in her career on her way to clocking a winning time of 29min 14.6sec.

The Norwegian five-time Olympic medallist and former sprint world champion finished 25.8 seconds clear of nearest challenger Hanna Öberg of Sweden.

Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold earned her second consecutive bronze medal as she crossed in third, 39.7 adrift of her victorious team-mate at the end of the 10 kilometres event.

"I am very happy today, it was my first 20," said Eckhoff.

"I was really emotional when I made it, so I could not have been happier. 

"And especially when Ingrid, we were standing there together, it was amazing."

Overall World Cup leader Dorothea Wierer of Italy ended the pursuit in a disappointing ninth place but remains in top spot on 188 points, 27 ahead of Tandrevold.

There was further success for Norway as the formidable Johannes Thingnes Bø spearheaded the country to victory in the men's 4x7.5km relay.

Bø earned his third straight win of the weekend in Hochfilzen thanks to a superb final loop.

The reigning Olympic 20km individual champion and team-mates Tarjei Bø, Erlend Bjöntegaard, and Johannes Dale recorded a time of one hour 14min and 44.2sec.

Germany and France claimed silver and bronze, respectively.

"It has been such a great weekend, on the last loop, you have to try; you have to believe and try to make a good push from behind," said Bø.

"It is tough also for the guy in the front. 

"I was really tired in the last uphill, but I managed to save some power for the sprint."