A stunning opening jump of 149 metres was key to Lanišek’s triumph as he won for the second successive year on the Finnish hill.

Lanišek’s first jump was five metres longer than anyone else managed to achieve that day, scoring 158.4 points.

Austria’s Stefan Kraft came out on top in the second run, jumping 144m as Lanišek registered 141.5.

Kraft had to settle for silver as he finished on 311.5 points - just 1.3 points behind Lanišek who was crowned champion.

"It's easier to jump when you're doing well in training and even more so in a place where you've already won," Lanišek told Slovenian newspaper Sloski.

"I feel good everywhere and that's the most important thing. 

"I have to keep going by staying focused."

The bronze medal went to Poland's Piotr Zyla who landed jumps of 143m and 142m for 300.7 points.

Poland's Dawid Kubacki had hoped for a third successive victory but finished fourth with two jumps of 139.5 for 296.5 points.

Kubacki continues to lead the World Cup standings with 250 points, while Lanišek sits second on 186 and Kraft ranks third on 185.

Ruka is scheduled to host another Ski Jumping World Cup event tomorrow.