Germany’s Markus Eisenbichler, centre, produced the best leap of the day to top the qualification standings at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Norwegian town Lillehammer ©FIS

Germany’s Markus Eisenbichler produced the best leap of the day to top the qualification standings at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup in Norwegian town Lillehammer.

Returning to the scene of his first-ever World Cup podium last December, the 25-year-old jumped 140.5 metres to earn a score of 163.1 points and first place.

Team-mate Richard Freitag registered an impressive leap of 134.5m and was second with 151.9.

Austria's Stefan Kraft was just 0.1 points behind Freitag in third, while another German, Andreas Wellinger, finished a further 0.4 back in fourth.

Markus Eisenbichler produced a jump of 140.5m ©Getty Images
Markus Eisenbichler produced a jump of 140.5m ©Getty Images

The competition forms part of the inaugural Raw Air Tournament, which features 10 events in as many days.

Kraft currently leads the overall ranking with 823.6.

He is followed by Wellinger with 802.7 and then Eisenbichler with 785.4.

Competition in Lillehammer is scheduled for tomorrow.