The team of Lina Strand, Jerker Lysell, Jonas Leandersson and Helena Jansson clinched the gold medal in a time of 1 hour 3min and 32sec.

It was an improvement on the bronze medal they managed to win at last year's championships on home soil in Stromstad and Tanum.

"We have been fighting in the top for a long time, but this is the first time we finished on top," said Jansson, who ran the last leg.

"I could not have dreamed about a better start to the championships."

The defending champions before today's event, Denmark, were forced to settle for silver after finishing half a minute behind.

Maja Alm, who won her third consecutive women's sprint gold medal yesterday, was joined by Tue Lassen, Andreas Hougaard Boesen and Cecilie Friberg Klysner.

They could only combine for a time of 1:04.02 though.

Switzerland's team of Sabine Hauswirth, Martin Hubmann, Florian Howald and Elena Roos completed the podium in 1:04.26.

There is no action at the championships tomorrow with the long and middle distance races pencilled in for July 4 and 6 respectively.

Competition will then come to an end on July 7 with the relay event.