After two successive days of individual events in Courchevel, racing moved to Méribel where skiers represented their nations in team competition.

Switzerland started the day with a 4-0 victory over Canada before overcoming Germany 3-1 to advance to the final.

Austria, who claimed gold in the event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, were held to a 2-2 draw with Slovenia in the heats but progressed having registered a quicker time before beating Norway 3-1 in the semi-finals.

They then took the lead in the final against Switzerland as Ricarda Haaser crossed the line in 23.25sec, 0.70 quicker than Darbellay Delphine.

Switzerland responded well with Livio Simonet getting the better of Stefan Brennsteiner by 0.68.

There were just three hundredths of a second separating the next two competitors with Andrea Ellenberger edging Katharina Truppe to put Switzerland in front.

Fadri Janutin then secured victory for Switzerland when he overcame Patrick Feurstein by 0.26.

Germany also recovered from an early setback to beat Norway 3-1 in the small final to seal third spot courtesy of wins for Julian Rauchfuß, Lena Dürr and Fabian Gratz.

The Alpine Ski World Cup Finals are due to continue tomorrow with men’s giant slalom and women’s slalom races.