Romoren takes first individual gold of season in Finland

NORWAY'S Bjorn Einar Romoren clinched gold at the season's opening World Cup in Kuusamo, Finland as defending champion Gregor Schlierenzauer struggled his way into 19th.

Romoren produced jumps of 139.5 and 139 metres - good enough for a combined total of 299.8 - more than nine points ahead of nearest rival Pascal Bodmar of Germany.

The 28-year-old, who holds the world record, set in 2005 - an incredible 239m - did not produce the biggest leap of the day.  However, his opening jump of 139.5m was by far and away the longest in the first round.

Both Bodmer and Andreas Kofler of Austria reached 141m in the second round, but such was Romoren's lead after his first jump that he was a clear victor.

Meanwhile, Schlierenzauer, part of the Austrian quartet who claimed team gold on Friday, could only manage leaps of 124 and 132m - good enough for just 255.3 points.

Wolfgang Loitzl, another Austria who was victorious on Friday, took bronze with a total of 290.4 points from his two jumps.