The Japanese star posted a jump of 136.5 metres on the 140m hill for a score of 147.5 and came in narrowly ahead of Slovenia's Timi Zajc on 136.5m and Jan Hoerl of Austria with 135.5m, who were awarded 144.3 and 140.2 points, respectively.

In good conditions, the 2018-2019 overall World Cup champion once again showed his class as he continues his impressive form which saw him win in Klingenthal on Sunday (December 12).

Kobayashi was the penultimate jumper in today's action and stole the win from Zajc who had led the 69-strong field for the majority of the competition.

The 25-year-old said he was delighted with his performance and is expecting to perform just as well in the competition scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday (December 19).

Overall World Cup leader Karl Geiger was the best German in tenth after recording a jump of 129.5m for an overall score of 134.3.

For Geiger, who leads the overall standings with 434 points, it is important to keep his distance from Kobayashi who follows behind on 316.

"My jump was not the best, but I'm pretty satisfied with how the qualification went for me", Geiger said.

Kamil Stoch of Poland recovered from the sinusitis that forced him to sit out the last round of competition and came in a respectable fifth place today.

Competition continues tomorrow with the first run set to begin at 4pm local time.