Germany battle back to take fourth season victory in Hochfilzen

The team of Vanessa Hinz, Maren Hammerschmidt, Franziska Hildebrand and Laura Dahlmeier stopped the clock in a time of 1:11:16.6, boasting nine spares in their armoury in conditions far different than anything else seen in these World Championships.

But Germany didn’t have things all their own way in Austria, with France and Italy leading the way after the first lap.

But when Hildebrand shot a perfect round to boast a 20-second lead, the writing was on the wall for German domination to continue despite the treachery of the weather.

Second place went to the Ukraine who were just 6.4 seconds further back thanks to their team effort from Iryna Varvynets, Yuliia Dzhima, Anastasiya

Merkushyna – who picked up her first World Championship medal – and Olena Pidhrushna.

They edged out Anais Chevalier, Celia Aymonier, Justine Braisaz and Marie Dorin Habert of France who took the last plae on the podium just two seconds further back. Czech Republic and Italy rounded out the top five.

The attentions of the women's competition now turn to the 12.5km mass start competition which gets underway on Sunday.