With a lead in the standings of 539 points, Norway's Jarl Magnus Riiber has already secured the World Cup title and so to some extent he can enter the event relaxed.

The 21-year-old has had a fantastic season, picking up 12 World Cup podiums including 11 wins and two world titles at the World Nordic Ski Championships in Austria last month.

However, if he wins one race in Schonach he will equal Hannu Manninen's record of most victories in a single season and with two Gundersens scheduled over the weekend, he could surpass that record if he wins both.

Looking to stop the Norwegian will be several athletes, including Franz-Josef Rehrl from Austria, who has won twice on the World Cup circuit this season.

Japan's Akito Watabe, who sits third in the overall standings, will also be hoping for a win, though with just one weekend of action left this year last season's overall champion has not topped the podium yet this season.

After the final race on Sunday (March 17) various end of season awards will be given out including Athlete of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Poor weather had been forecast for yesterday at the resort, but head of the event Organising Committee Gunter Schuster said they had "perfect conditions" at the beginning of the week.

"We just had to get through the storm on Thursday and after that, it should be fine for the weekend," he said.

Action tomorrow will start at 11am local time.