Liberec, Czech Republic - Petter Northug used his deadly kick again, against German Axel Teichmann, to give Norway its fifth straight men's relay cross-country skiing world title on Friday.

The pursuit champion Northug made his trademark staccato steps in the final turn before the home stretch to win the 4x10-kilometres race with Eldar Roenning, Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset and Tore Ruud Hofstad in 1 hour 41 minutes 50.6 seconds.

The Germans, who led at all three exchanges of the race, had to settle for second like in 2003 and 2005, 2.6 seconds adrift. Finland made the podium for the first time since 1997, coming third with a deficit of 43.9 seconds.

Norway have won five relays in a row and nine out of 10 since 1991, beaten only by Austria in 1999.

They trailed Germany by 24.9 seconds at the first exchange, by 23.9 at the second and by 14.5 at the final exchange.

Northug made up the gap within two kilometres and then stayed in Teichmann's slipstream before moving ahead on the final kilometre and making his famous move in the finale.

The other medal event on Friday was large hill ski-jumping. (dpa)