Kraft is hoping to add to his victory at the opening competition of the tournament in Oberstdorf in Germany, with the prestigious event forming part of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup calendar.

The 2014 Four Hills Tournament champion flew out to 134.5 metres in his qualification jump to top the standings.

He was two metres clear of his nearest competitor, leaving the 23-year-old confident in his chances of success in the competition tomorrow.

"This jump was really good, now I know what I have to do tomorrow," Kraft said.

One man who Kraft will need to overcome will be Poland’s Kamil Stoch, who leads the overall standings for the tournament after finishing second in the first two competitions.

The Pole opted not to take part in the qualification, just as he had done in the second event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Second place in qualification would still go to a Polish ski jumper, as Maciej Kot achieved a distance of 132m.

He was followed by his compatriot Piotr Zyla, after he jumped 130m, with Austria’s Michael Hayboeck pushed into fourth.

A total of 10 Austrian ski jumpers will be in action in front of their home crowd tomorrow, while World Cup leader Domen Prevc of Slovenia will hope to improve on his qualification placing of 18th.

His brothers Cene and last year’s Four Hills Tournament winner Peter ended 10th and 14th respectively in today’s qualification event.

Following the conclusion of tomorrow's competition, the ski jumpers will head to Bischofshofen, another Austrian hill, for the final stage of the tournament.