Austrian takes the second leg of Four Hills

Following a poor showing last Tuesday at Oberstdorf, where he could only place ninth, Schlierenzauer made no mistake this time as he leapt 136.5 and 137.5m for a total of 277.7 points.

That was enough to see off compatriot Wolfgang Loitzl, who twice jumped 135m for 272.5 points, while Swiss rival Simon Ammann was third after jumping 132 and 143.5m — a venue record — for 272.4 points.

Austrian Andreas Kofler, who won at Oberstdorf, came in fourth with leaps of 136 and 137 m for 271.9 points. “The New Year has started off well — that was really a perfect day,” said Schlierenzauer, who put his off-day at Oberstdorf down to a stomach upset.

Finnish five-time overall winner Janne Ahonen, second at Oberstdorf on his comeback from retirement, could only manage sixth this time after jumps of 129.5 and 137m gave him 259.2 points.

After the two races Kofler leads the way with a 20-point advantage over Loitzl with Ahonen third five points further back.

After adding 2.5m to Schlierenzauer's previous venue record of two years ago Ammann is fourth, just three points adrift of Ahonen — and three ahead of Schlierenzauer.

Ammann leads the overall World Cup standings after eight of 24 events with 529 points, with Schlierenzauer second on 511 ahead of Kofler on 426.

The mainly German crowd of 25,000 had little to cheer regarding the home contingent - coached ironically by an Austrian in Werner Schuster — as Pascal Bodmer was their top finisher in 16th spot while vice world champion Martin Schmitt could only come in 25th.

Schuster complained that Schmitt and co are “currently jumping well below their potential.”

The next leg comes Sunday at Innsbruck with the final leg also in Austria, at Bischofshofen on Jan. 6.

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