Ito, who won her first World Cup event in Sapporo last weekend, scored a total of 227 points to again pip team-mate and current overall leader Sara Takanashi.

The 22-year-old recorded jumps of 100 metres and 94.5m to edge Takanashi, who fell 0.8 short of her compatriot after she leapt 99.5m and 94.5m.

Maren Lundby of Norway did enough for third as she ended with 221.2 points, achieved thanks to efforts of 100m and 92m.

“I am so glad I could win again,” Ito said.

“We've had a fantastic audience today and the support gave me so much strength.”

The result marked the second time in seven days where Ito had pipped Takanashi, the 20-year-old who had won five of the opening six events of the season.

Ito finished above Takanashi in Sapporo and today’s triumph saw her close the gap at the top of the leaderboard to 83.

She currently has 732, with Takanashi leading the way on 815.

The defending World Cup champion is seemingly suffering from a slump in form and she has not tasted victory since the opening event of the year in Oberstdorf in Germany.

Today did mark a welcome return to the podium, however, after she missed out on the top three in the previous two competitions.

“This weekend was hard work for me,” Takanashi said.

“My jumping is not going so easy right now.

“I am very happy that I could finish on the podium today and will try to continue my work next weekend.”

The next women’s event is scheduled to get underway in Rasnov in Romania on Friday (January 27).

Germany took the men's team honours in Zakopane in Poland with a total of 1116.3 points.

Hosts Poland fell narrowly short as they amassed 1111.2, while Slovenia claimed the final spot on the podium with 1102.7.

The men's individual event is due to take place tomorrow.