Peter Prevc topped qualifying in Sapporo ©Getty Images

Defending overall champion Peter Prevc topped the qualification list as the International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup season resumed in Sapporo today.

The Slovenian dominated the circuit last season, winning 15 events en-route to the World Cup crown.

This season, however, has been a struggle for the 24-year-old, whose only podium finish was a bronze at the opening leg of the campaign in Ruka in Finland.

He only sits 12th in the overall rankings but topped qualification today on the Japanese hill with a leap of 138 metres for 142.1 points.

Prevc was the only jumper to go beyond 130m with second-placed Frenchman Vincent Descombes Sevoie only managing 128m for 130.4 points.

Vincent Descombes Sevoie of France was second among the qualifiers ©Getty Images
Vincent Descombes Sevoie of France was second among the qualifiers ©Getty Images

Third place went to Poland's Jan Ziobro, who lept 126.5m for 127.5 points.

Poland's Kamil Stoch, the overall World Cup leader who had pre-qualified for tomorrow's final, recorded a distance of 129m.

Prevc won in Sapporo last season, the 1972 Winter Olympics host city which will stage the Asian Winter Games from February 19.

On the women's circuit, qualification in Ljubno in Slovenia was postponed until tomorrow after the Norwegian team arrived late due to flight cancellations.

The final will immediately follow tomorrow's qualifying.