Liberec, Czech Republic - Petter Northug anchored Norway to a familiar cross-country relay title while Andreas Kuettel was a surprise ski-jumping winner in a snow-marred event at the Nordic skiing world championships on Friday.

Northug used his famed deadly kick against German Axel Teichmann to give Norway a fifth straight relay title, with Finland third.

Kuettel celebrated his biggest career success when he beat German ex-champion Martin Schmitt and Anders Jacobsen of Norway in a large hill competition held in one round as snowfall denied a full second round.

Norway got its fourth gold in Liberec for first place in the medal tally, the Swiss their first title, while Germany now have a silver medal tally of seven after missing a first gold narrowly yet again.

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 place 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.

"I tried to open hard and then to save power for the sprint. Axel pushed on the last hill but I followed and then sprinted. It is great to take gold again," said Northug.

Teichmann admitted that "I am more disappointed than happy," but German coach Jochen Behler insisted that it was no shame to lose against the awesome Northug even though the Germans had to settle for their sixth silver in Liberec and are yet to got gold.

The title fight was only between Germany and Norway once the third Finnish skier, Teemu Kattilakoski, tired dramatically in his final two kilometres to fall 40 seconds behind. But the Finns were delighted about the third Liberec men's team medal after it was battered in the 2001 doping scandal in Lahti.

"This is a very big day, a new beginning for Finnish cross-country skiing," said Matti Heikkinen.

Kuettel, 30, then soared 133.5 metres for 141.3 points get the surprise ski-jump gold, his biggest career win after five World Cup top spots.

The 1999 and 2001 large hill and team event world champion Schmitt missed a fifth title by a fraction with 133m for 140.9 points, but made a podium for the first time since
2002. Jacobsen was third with 132.5m for 139.5 points.

The results came from the first round as officials tried in vain twice to stage the final round.

The first attempt was abandoned after 23 of 30 jumpers as heavy snowfall set in. The round was restarted but the jury ended the action after 16 jumpers as the conditions deteriorated even more.

"I can't say I am surprised. I feel strange," said Kuettel. "The first round was fair so I think it is ok. I am really happy."

Schmitt was over the moon with silver: "It is a dream to make the podium again at the worlds. I don't care about the colour of the medal."

Austria suffered most, with World Cup leader Gregor Schlierenzauer stranded in fourth place and normal hill world champion Wolfgang Loitzl finishing sixth.

Coach Alexander Pointner was unhappy with the jury ruling while Loitzl said: "it is a pity that that the competition wasn't completed. There are always competitions held in one round. It's a shame it happened at the worlds." (dpa)