Austrian Olympic silver medallist Andreas Kofler won the Four Hills title on Wednesday in Bischofshofen despite finishing fifth in the final event.

The 25-year-old - also an Olympic gold medallist in the team event - won with 1027.2 points ahead of Finnish great Janne Ahonen (1013.9) while last year's champion Wolfgang Loitzl of Austria was third (1011.6).

Wednesday's event was won by another Austrian, Thomas Morgenstern with 264.7 points, ahead of Ahonen (264) and Swiss jumper Simon Ammann (261.5).

There was disappointment for Austrian prodigy Gregor Schlierenzauer, who was the strong favourite to take the title after victories in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Friday and Innsbruck on Sunday but ended up finishing fourth overall.

Second place overall for Ahonen, a five-time winner of the series who only came out of retirement recently, spoilt Austrian hopes of their first podium clean sweep since 1974/75.

AFP