The 11-time champion secured her first win of the season in the Sweden resort before Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen guided Norway to victory in the men’s 4x7.5km relay on a memorable day for the Scandinavian nation.

Olsbu Røiseland produced a superb last loop to take the title in 32min 20.6sec and just one penalty.

Anais Bescond of France shot cleanly to take second place, 4.8sec back, while her teammate Anais Chevalier-Bouchet, with one penalty, finished seven seconds further behind to take bronze.

"It was just crazy," said Olsbu Røiseland.

"I just had to focus on what I could do, just shut off my brain.

"I think that was a good plan."

Christiansen sealed a runaway victory for Norway in the men’s 4x7.5km relay with a sterling anchor leg that brought him home in 1 hour 14min 9.3sec.

The Norwegian team of Sivert Guttorm Bakken, Tarjei Bø, Johannes Thingnes Bø and Christiansen needed just four spare rounds in their season-opening triumph.

France, with eight spare rounds, finished second, 11.2sec back courtesy of Quentin Fillon Maillet’s brilliant standing.

Russia, with one penalty and nine spares, came third, 45.8sec back.

"It is not easy to race the first man-to-man fight for the first race of the season," said Christiansen.

"It was an exciting relay.

"I got a good handover from Johannes and the rest of the team.

"It was always a tight fight even if I was in the lead.

"I could hear [Eduard] Latypov at my back.

"The last standing, I decided to attack so I was attacking from the first shot maybe too fast. 

"The rest was quite good, although I had trouble hitting the first extra shots of the year.

"All-in-all a good race for the Norwegian team, only four spare shots, so I guess I am just happy."

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the men’s 12.75km pursuit event.