Ruhpolding, Germany  - World champions Germany ended Russia's winning run on Wednesday with first place in a biathlon women's relay race on home soil.

Andrea Henkel, Kati Wilhelm, Kathrin Hitzer and Magdalena Neuner took the lead on the second leg of the 4x6-kilometres race for victory in 1 hour 16 minutes 41.2 seconds in front of a big home crowd in Ruhpolding.

It was the first season win for the German women's relay which had won all races in the last campaign but saw Russia triumph in the first three relays this time around.

The Russians had to settle for second on Wednesday, 37.5 seconds off the pace, and Sweden trailed by 56.5 seconds in third place.

All podium finishers had no penalty loop, but the Germans had to reload six times, Russia on four occasions and Sweden five times in the shooting range.

The Ruhpolding events continue on Thursday with a men's relay. (dpa)