The Norwegians followed their sprint triumphs by winning the pursuit races on the penultimate day of the World Cup circuit before the break for the festive period.

Eckhoff won the women's race, held over 10 kilometres, in a time of 26min 16.1sec to complete her own Hochfilzen double.

The Norwegian, a former world sprint champion, enjoyed a comfortable victory as Sweden's Hanna Öberg was 22.5sec adrift in second place.

Hanna's sister Elvira Öberg was third, a further 5.1 behind.

Hanna Öberg's pursuit silver medal saw her move to within four points of leader Marte Olsbu Røiseland on the overall leaderboard.

Lægreid became the first athlete on the men's circuit to claim a third win of the season as he completed the 12.5km course in 31:14.9.

Émilien Jacquelin of France was 8.5 sec slower in second place, while third went to overall leader Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway.

Lægreid has moved up to second on the standings and trails Bø, the Olympic 20 kilometres individual gold medallist and multiple world champion, by 57 points.

"I thought when I came into the range, ‘If I clean then I probably win,'" said Lægreid.

"I had to lay those thoughts behind me and focus on one shot at a time.

"There was bit more movement in the last series. 

"The rifle was moving faster but still I managed five shots and I am really happy with that."

The event in Hochfilzen is scheduled to conclude with the mass start races tomorrow.