Japanese star Sara Takanashi will bid to continue her dominance of women's ski jumping in Lahti ©Getty Images

Japan's Sara Takanashi will bid to continue her dominance of women's ski jumping by securing a first-ever individual International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Ski World Championships title in Lahti.

This year's World Championships are due to get underway in the Finnish city tomorrow with qualification events and the Opening Ceremony.

Takanashi, who recently wrapped up the overall FIS Ski Jumping World Cup title, is one of the leading names set to appear.

The 23-year-old holds the record for the most World Cup victories with 53 and she will be hoping to turn her form on the regular circuit into World Championships glory.

Her only previous gold medal success at the event came when she was part of the Japanese squad which topped the podium in the team competition in 2013 in Val di Fiemme in Italy. 

Ski jumping is one of three disciplines which make up the programme for the Championships, along with cross-country and Nordic combined.

Germany are the red-hot favourites in Nordic combined, with the formidable trio of Eric Frenzel, Johannes Rydzek and Fabian Rießle all scheduled to take part.

Eric Frenzel of Germany is among the favourites for glory in the Nordic combined events ©Getty Images
Eric Frenzel of Germany is among the favourites for glory in the Nordic combined events ©Getty Images

The Germans have won 19 out of the previous 21 competitions in the sport and will be bidding to sweep in the podium in both men's events on the programme.

The country is also the one to beat in the team events, although the sprint format is likely to provide other nations with their best chance of overhauling Germany.

Cross-country action is scheduled to get the event underway tomorrow with qualification in the men's and women's classic interval events.

Only those athletes who have not already met the required FIS points target needed to be eligible to start the distance competitions during the Championships will compete for places in the main event.

Norway boast both leaders in the men's and women's Cross-Country World Cup standings, Martin Johnsrud Sundby and Heidi Weng, and will be expected to return home with a decent medal haul from the Championships due to end on March 5.

They will have one notable absentee from their team, however, as Olympic gold medallist Therese Johaug was banned for 13 months for a doping offence earlier this month.

The 28-year-old has not competed this season after she was given a provisional suspension but confirmation of her ban officially ruled her out of the event in Lahti, which runs through to March 5.

Around 700 competitors from 60 nations are due to be in action, while the FIS claim more than 500 million people worldwide will tune into television coverage.