Riiber climbed to the top of the standings with a jump of 103.5 metres before finishing the cross-country course in 24min 36.3sec to defend his crown in the Slovenian resort.

He became only the second man to win three individual normal hill titles in a row, following in the footsteps of Germany’s Ronny Ackermann.

Julian Schmid of Germany clinched silver in 24:55.7, with Austria’s Franz-Josef Rehrl bagging bronze in 24:57.3.

Poland’s Piotr Żyła saw off the German challenge of Andreas Wellinger and Karl Geiger to defend his men's individual normal hill ski jumping title.

The Pole was ranked in 13th position after posting a first-run score of 127.6 points with a jump of 97.5m.

He then produced a stunning leap of 105m to score a whopping 80 points, boosting his total to 261.8 to take gold.

Double Olympic gold medallist Wellinger registered jumps of 101m and 102m to seal silver with 259.2 points.

He was joined on the podium by his compatriot and four-time world champion Geiger who registered distances of 100m and 101.5m for bronze with 257.7 points.

Although Wellinger and Geiger were unable to deliver gold for Germany, the nation still finished the day with a title in their hands.

Katharina Althaus backed up her women's individual normal hill success to help Germany secure the women's team normal hill gold.

She teamed up with Anna Rupprecht, Luisa Görlich and Selina Freitag to claim the title with 843.8 points.

Austria posted 831.1 for silver, while Norway had to settle for bronze with 828.6.

Ebba Andersson topped a Swedish one-two in the women’s 15km skiathlon cross-country skiing competition in Planica.

The two-time Olympic medallist emerged victorious in 38:11.8 to win her first individual world crown.

Frida Karlsson finished behind her fellow counterwoman in 38:33.8, while Norway’s Astrid Øyre Slind earned bronze in 38:59.8.