Norway's Emil Hegle Svendsen sprinted past legendary compatriot Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in the final 100 metres to claim world championships gold in the mass start at Ostersund.

Though both men were equal at the range missing one shot each in total, Svendsen was a little bit faster at the final shoot to take a 4.1 second margin over one of his personal heroes heading into the final three kilometres of the 15-km race.

Though the 34-year-old Bjoerndalen was able to catch Svendsen and even overtake his younger compatriot, the 22-year-old had too much in reserve and blasted past the World Cup leader in the final gasp to claim victory by just 0.4 seconds.

Svendsen adds the mass start title to the gold medal he won in the individual and the silver that both he and Bjoerndalen claimed as part of Norway's relay team.

Russia's Maxim Tchoudov finished 24.9 seconds behind Svendsen's winning time of 36 minutes and 12.6 seconds to claim the bronze, his fourth medal of these championships.

Later on Sunday Germany's women dominated the relay beating Ukraine to take gold with France claiming the bronze medal.

Jeremy Stahl / Eurosport