Austria's Stefan Kraft topped qualification in Ruka ©Getty Images

Austria's Stefan Kraft topped qualification for the second consecutive week as the International Ski Federation Ski Jumping World Cup season continued in Ruka.

The 24-year-old, the defending overall World Cup champion, was the best qualifier as the season opened in Wisla in Poland last week.

Kraft, a double world champion, again topped the pile as the second leg of the Olympic campaign began today on the Finnish hill.

His jump of 144 metres was the longest of the day and gave him 151.8 points at the summit of the leaderboard.

The Austrian will now be hoping to take his qualifying form into the final on Sunday (November 26) which will feature the top 50 qualifiers from today's session.

Junshiro Kobayashi followed up his opening week victory with a fifth-place finish in qualifying ©Getty Images
Junshiro Kobayashi followed up his opening week victory with a fifth-place finish in qualifying ©Getty Images

He was unable to do this in Wisla, finishing third behind Japan's winner Junshiro Kobayashi.

Norway's Johann Andre Forfang was second best in qualification today, leaping 138.5m for 144.1 points.

Third place went to Richard Freitag of Germany who ended on 138m and a points tally of 129.9.

Kobayashi kept up his good form by qualifying in fifth place.

The Japanese recorded a jump of 131.5m for 124.8 points.

Poland's double Olympic champion Kamil Stoch, who was second in Wisla, ended ninth today as he jumped 127.5m for 119.3 points. 

A team event will be held in Ruka tomorrow before Sunday's individual final.