Yukiya Sato topped the standings in qualifying for the latest FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Zakopane ©FIS

Yukiya Sato of Japan topped the standings in qualifying for the latest International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup in Zakopane.

Sato jumped 133 metres, scoring 139.8 points, to top the standings in freezing temperatures on the Wielka Krokiew hill.

Germany’s Markus Eisenbichler jumped 132 metres, scoring 137 points to qualify in second place.

In third place on home snow was Poland’s Andrzej Stekala, who jumped 130 metres, scoring 135.8 points in the process.

Daniel Huber of Austria qualified fourth jumping 132 metres, and scoring 134.4 points, while Antti Aalto of Finland qualified fifth with a jump of 137 metres, giving him 133 points.

World Cup leader Halvor Egner Granerud of Norway endured a bad day finishing in 43rd place with a jump of 117 metres giving him 103.3 points.

Heading into competition in Zakopane, Granerud led the overall World Cup standings with 948 points, with Eisenbichler in second on 684 and Kamil Stoch of Poland, in third on 622.

Today’s qualification event took place ahead of the individual final, scheduled for Sunday (January 17).

Tomorrow’s action in Zakopane sees ski jumpers take part in a team competition on the famous hill, which will be missing its normal crowds, with the action taking place without spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic.