Bjoergen continues Olympic success with team World Cup victory for Norway

MARIT Bjoergen produced another impressive display to lead Norway to team World Cup gold in the women's 4x5km relay in Lahti.

 
LEADING THE WAY: Marit Bjoergen ensured more gold medal success for her country as
Norway topped the podium in Lahti (Getty Images)

The triple Olympic champion led the Norweigan quartet of Marthe Kristoffersen, Therese Johaug and Kristin Stoermer Steira to victory in Finland in a combined time of 52:48.9 minutes.

Norway had only one change to their Winter Olympic gold medal winning team with Kristoffersen replacing Vibeke Skofterud on the first leg.

Germany's Evi Sachenbacher Stehle pushed Bjoergen all the way but could only manage silver for her team of Nicole Fessel, Katrin Zeller and Miriam Goessner, who were 0.7 seconds off the pace.

While the Germans repeated their silver medal success from Vancouver, Italy went one better than their fourth place and took the bronze.

Italy's Arianna Follis finished only 0.3 seconds behind the Germans with Marianna Longa, Antonella Confortola Wyatt and Sabina Valbusa all posting good times to set up Follis on the final leg.