France were victorious in the mixed relay event at the IBU World Cup ©IBU

The French squad took home the 4x6 kilometres mixed relay title behind Fabien Claude's 10-for-10 on the range, while Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen came through for Norway in the second leg to win the singles mixed relay gold at the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup in the Czech Republic.

Claude guided his team to an easy win at Nové Město na Moravě, finishing the race in 1hr 06:32.3sec with his team mates Lou Jeanmonnot, Caroline Colombo and Eric Perrot, using just seven spare rounds.

"It is amazing what we did today," said Claude, who won a gold medal earlier this year in the World Championships in Oberhof.

"It is only my second finishing leg in World Cups in my life so I think next year maybe sometimes I will take the finish. 

"I am really happy about my shooting - going zero-zero when you are in front. It was not a win before that so I am really happy about that."

In second place was Sweden, who were 25.3 seconds behind and used 18 spares.

Fabien Claude went 10-for-10 in the mixed relay to guide France to first place at the IBU World Cup ©IBU
Fabien Claude went 10-for-10 in the mixed relay to guide France to first place at the IBU World Cup ©IBU

Completing the podium Norway took third with 16 spares, finishing 42 seconds behind the leaders.

This was Norway's first ever podium finish, as Endre Strømsheim went five-for-five in the standing to lift them to history.

"I have never raced a relay in the World Cup before. It was great to be on the last leg," said Strømsheim.

"I was really excited, the girls were so great, they gave Johannes the lead and he managed to not get any penalty loops, so I had a good starting position. 

"After prone, I had to secure the bronze medal with a good standing shooting."

In the singles mixed relay, the Norwegian duo of Christiansen and Marte Olsbu Røiseland used seven spare rounds as they won in 36min 40.5sec. 

 "I thought into the last shooting that it is not often that I get this chance with this amazing audience," said Christiansen.

Marte Olsbu Røiseland won the singles mixed relay, pursuit and sprint at the IBU World Cup ©IBU
Marte Olsbu Røiseland won the singles mixed relay, pursuit and sprint at the IBU World Cup ©IBU

"I wanted to make sure I hit all five targets immediately and do some show. 

"That is why I do biathlon. 

"I heard the response of the audience, so thank you very much!"

Røiseland completed a perfect competition as she also won the pursuit and sprint.

In second were Swiss pair Niklas Hartweg and Amy Baserga, who fell behind by 25.3 seconds, with 10 spare rounds.

Finishing 42 seconds later in third place were Andrejs Rastorgujevs and Baiba Bendika of Latvia, who had nine spare rounds.

This concludes the IBU World Cup in the Czech Republic, with the next event due to take place starting on Thursday (March 9) in Östersund, Sweden.