Schlierenzauer claims World Cup gold in Willingen

GREGOR Schlierenzauer has completed the perfect preparations for his first Winter Olympic appearance after claiming his eighth World Cup victory of the season in Willingen.

 
CONFIDENCE BOOST: Gregor Schlierenzauer captures his eighth World Cup victory this season (Getty Images)

The 20-year-old notched up 272.7 points thanks to jumps of 142.5m and 137.5m to finish 4.7 points above Norway's Anders Jacobsen in second.

Michael Neumayer of Germany claimed bronze with 262.5 points.

Schlierenzauer is looking to realise his youthful promise of 28 World Cup victories while still a teenager as he goes for gold in Vancouver.

The Austrian will need to overcome Switzerland's Simon Ammann to top the podium in Canada but has closed the gap on his rival in the overall World Cup standings after Ammann did not compete in Germany.

Ammann continues to head the overall World Cup table on 1,249 points with four events remaining.

Schlierenzauer remains second on 1,192 with Austria's Thomas Morgenstern a distant third on 749 points.