- It was a Norwegian shock victory, say NRK's commentators.
Major victory organizer was Ingvild Flugstad who broke Frida Karlsson on the third leg.
According to the plan, Maja Dahlqvist would go out with a lead after Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson split the field.
It didn't work at all and Dahlqvist had to chase.
Emma Ribom was offensive on the first stretch and was usually in the lead.
She shifted second just behind Norway's Tiril Udnes Weng, who pushed to Ribom in the final uphill curve and came out first.
It resulted in a yellow card for the Norwegian.
On the second leg, Ebba Andersson tried to break the field but could not break free.
On the same hill that Ribom had his incident with Udnes Weng, Andersson fell and broke a pole.
Frida Karlsson had to go out in fourth place, 8.7 seconds behind leading Germany.
In between, Finland and Norway followed.
Andersson received a verbal warning.
After 1.5 km, Karlsson caught up and a tight quartet was formed with USA's Jessie Diggins chasing far behind in fifth (went out 48 seconds behind).
In the heavy uphill, Ingvild Flugstad Östberg pulled away from a very tired Frida Karlsson.
At the change, Flugstad Östberg was six seconds ahead of Germany's Pia Fink, while Karlsson was 15 seconds behind in third.