SEEFELD, Jan 19 - Team work and outstanding individual skill won the day in a dramatic Biathlon Mixed Relay at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games on Thursday.

Germany grabbed the Gold medal in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 6.8 seconds and a total of seven missed shots.

Norway took Silver with a time of 1:13:11.7 and eight missed shots after Russia, which finished in a time of 1:12:54.0 with nine missed shots, was disqualified. France claimed the Bronze in 1:13:27.8.

The Russians were informed just before the victory ceremony that their first competitor Uliana KAYSHEVA, the Gold medallist in the Women's 7.5 km Pursuit, had breached International Biathlon Union (IBU) DR 5.6.i by "leaving the track".

Kristian Andre AALERUD (NOR), who had an incredible run as his team's anchor, with the fastest leg time (18:34.5) of any of the men, was happy to walk away with Silver despite the dramatic circumstances surrounding the race.

"We found out we'd won Silver when we were waiting for the ceremony and we saw the Russians looking a bit sad," he said.

"It's sad for them, but getting the Silver is very good for us. It feels great to have a medal. I was nervous to be the last runner, but I gave it everything I had and hoped for the best."

Starting in row one, the Germans were highly-fancied to win the event, and their first racer, Franziska PREUSS started well, putting them in a strong position, despite trailing the Russians by 4.7s.

Speaking after her leg, PREUSS, who won Gold in the Women's 6 km Sprint and Silver in the 7.5 km Pursuit at the Innsbruck Games, expressed some disappointment with her shooting.

"I think I was pretty good, and my shooting was OK, although in the last round I missed two shots. My skiing was good, so we'll see."

Laura HENGELHAUPT (GER) was up next and she shone to help build a solid lead over the Russians.

Germany coach Jesko FISCHER (GER) embraced an emotional HENGELHAUPT after her leg.

"Congratulations. What a great race you just had," he said to her. "That was perfect shooting, so well done."

HENGELHAUPT admitted she had been nervous before her leg, but was thrilled after clinching Gold.

"It's a great feeling, because we won and I hadn't medalled before at these Games," she said. "I'm happy now."

In the third leg of the race, Maximilian JANKE built up the German lead over Russia to an impressive 1:42.2 with only 1 missed shot, but was reluctant to celebrate too early.

"With relays it's always difficult, and the answer comes from the last runner in your team," JANKE said. "I knew I was good, and I knew Niklas [HOMBERG], (GER) would be good, but until the end, you haven't won."

When HOMBERG, the last to go for Germany, crossed the line waving his national flag, he was greeted by his excited teammates, with a vocal group of Germany fans also on hand to welcome him.

Speaking after the race, HOMBERG was quick to praise his teammates. "I want to thank everyone on this team, everyone. The coaches, the support staff, everyone," he said. "It feels so good to win this together."

Asked whether he was nervous before competing at Innsbruck 2012, HOMBERG was matter-of-fact.

"Of course I was," he said. "Everything was so new and big. I've never seen anything like this before."

HOMBERG, the Gold medallist in the Men's 10 km Pursuit, said "winning two Gold medals here has given me wings. It just confirms my desire to work even harder."

"Now I'm looking forward to Gold at the traditional Olympic Games. That's my big dream."

YIS sco/rm/lm