Germany take honours at final World Cup before Vancouver

GERMANY'S ski jumpers gained a late boost with the Winter Olympics looming large, scoring World Cup team gold in the final competition before Vancouver.

CONFIDENCE BOOST: Michael Uhrmann (above) and the German quartet celebrate team gold at the final World Cup before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The quartet of Michael Neumayer, Pascal Bodmer, Martin Schmitt and Michael Uhrmann were lying 1.4 points behind the Norwegians after the first jump in Willingen, Germany.

But after four efforts over 133m in their second round, the Germans leapfrogged into first, winning on 965.5.

A poor showing at the World Championships in Liberec last year saw the Germans slump to tenth but with a gold and silver from three competitions this season, they are in contention for another medal in Vancouver.

The Norwegian quartet of Johan Remen Evensen, Tom Hilde, Anders Jacobsen and Bjoern Einar Romoeren held on to finish second on 959.6 while a second string Austrian quartet, which didn't contain any of their five Olympic competitors, were another 22.5 back in third.