NOVE MESTO, Czech Republic (AP) — Norway proved unbeatable in the mixed relay once again, winning its third consecutive gold medal in the discipline on the opening day of the biathlon world championships on Thursday.

Emil Hegle Svendsen anchored the Norwegians to the victory, crossing the finish line in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 4.9 seconds.

The Norwegian team also included Tora Berger, Synnoeve Solemdal and Tarjei Boe. The mixed event features two women and two men on each team and will be part of the Winter Olympics for the first time next year in Sochi.

France, with World Cup leader Martin Fourcade as its anchor, finished 20 seconds behind Norway for the silver.

Host Czech Republic earned the bronze, finishing 32.3 seconds behind to the delight of some 25,000 cheering spectators.

The championships, an annual event, continue on Saturday with sprint races.