Yaroslav Ivanov led the Russian one-two-three, missing just one shot, to cross the line in 23min 17.3sec at the National Biathlon Centre.

Behind him came team mates Maksim Burtasov and Yuri Shopin who finished in 23:30.7 and 23:32.2 respectively.

Shopin proved fastest on the skis but two missed shots in the standing position left her chasing her team mate, who crossed the line less than two seconds ahead.

"Even though we are part of the Russian national-B team and we often train together, competing against my team-mates and friends does not really bother me," said Yaroslav.

"It is rather amusing.

"When I start a competition, I do not think of the others, I just try to do my best

"We are friends for over a year now, but once on the track and when the race starts, it is no longer a question of friendship.

"It's every man for himself until the end of the race."

Paulina Fialkova secured gold in the women's biathlon 7.5km sprint ©FISU


The women's race, contested over 7.5km brought success for local favourite Paulina Fialkova.

The Slovakian was faultless in her shooting, leading to a superb time of 20:20.8, almost 30 seconds clear of Russia's Evgeniia Pavlova.

The Czech Republic's Jitka Landova missed just once on the range claim third in a time of 20:55.7.

"I felt tremendously emotional when passing the finish line," said Fialkova.

"Winning the gold medal in front of my fans, and many people I know, it's an amazing feeling.

"I would also like to thank my family and the audience for their support."

Irina Avvakumova continued Russia's gold medal success with a win in the ski-jump contest ©FISU



Russia's success continued at the Sporting Centre in Štrbské Pleso, home of the ski-jumping, where Irina Avvakumova totalled 223.2 metres in her two jumps to top the women's leaderboard.

The Russian was the only athlete to hit the 100m mark in either of her jump, highlighting her dominance in the vent.

Japan's Yuka Kobayashi claimed second on 198.2m, while another Russian, Anastasiya Gladysheva, came third with 190.5m.

Russia's gold medal onslaught was halted in the men's event as Bulgaria's Vladimir Zografsk knocked Russian jumpers into second third and fourth.

Zografsk jumped 123.1m and 125.7m for a total of 248.8m to beat Russians Ilmir Hazetdinov and Evgeniy Klimo.

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