Intro:

Peter Prevc of Slovenia earned his first FIS Ski Jump World Cup win of the season on in Sapporo, Japan Saturday (January 24).

Script:

The 18th event of the World Cup season saw Peter Prevc and Michael Hayboeck set the early pace in Sapporo.

Both finished the first round with 136.1 points - Prevc impressing the judges with his style - the Austrian producing the biggest jump of 132.0 metres.

Round two, and Roman Koudelka of the Czech Republic powered into the lead with a score of 269.3.

Four men remained to tackle the 134-metre Okurayama Hill.

The first of those was World Cup leader Stefan Kraft and wasted no time in ousting Koudelka with 271.3 points.

Noriaki Kasai on the other hand, could not maintain his fine form from the opening round.

The home favourite eventually dropping to sixth spot.

Prevc was the penultimate jumper, the Slovenian tackling it without any trouble as his leap of 131.0 metres saw him take the lead with 276.4 point.

Hayboeck had the chance to finish in style but could only manage 127.0 metres, dumping him into fourth spot.

A first win of the season then for Prevc as he seized second place from Hayboeck in the overall standings.

Kraft meanwhile stays well out in front with 957 points - 93 ahead of Prevc.