Switzerland’s Simon Ammann has won the second competition of the Four Hills ski-jumping tournament.

The four-time Olympic gold medal winner finished ahead of Pavel Karelin of Russia and Adam Malysz of Poland in swirling conditions in Germany on Saturday.

Ammann took advantage of temporarily quiet winds in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for a winning jump - the competition was limited to one - of 131.0 meters and 142.1 points.

"It really took a long time out there today, but the situation was just what I needed," said Ammann, who is hoping to win his first Four Hills title.

Ammann, Swiss Athlete of the Year, had not made a good start to the contest, coming in fourth place in the first event on December 29. Experts had mooted that it might be difficult for the Swiss star to make up for the setback in the three remaining competitions.
 

The Four Hills tournament, taking place in Austria and Germany until January 6, is considered one of the most important ski-jumping events of the season.

Another Swiss Olympic champion, Dario Cologna, also had a good Saturday, winning the second stage of the cross-country World Cup's annual Tour de Ski.

Cologna now rises to number one in the men’s Tour de Ski standings. The competition includes eight races in 10 days in five locations in Germany and Italy.

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