Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel used his ski speed and a blindingly fast standing stage to secure Italy’s victory in this afternoon’s Nove Mesto 4 X 6 km Mixed Relay. Giacomel and teammates Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi and Lukas Hofer needed ten spare rounds in their 1:03:11.7 victory. Today’s win was Italy’s third in the discipline.

France with seven spares finished second, 24.7 seconds back. The home team finished third, with seven spares, 57.2 seconds back after anchor Michal Krcmar’s adrenalin-filled anchor leg brought them for fifth at the final exchange.

The USA, with seven spares finished fourth, 59.5 seconds back. Switzerland with eight spares finished fifth, 1:20.9 back, while Norway with two penalties and eight spares finished sixth, 1:41.1 back.

Photos: IBU/Jaroslav Svoboda, Yevchenko, Nordic Focus