OBERSTDORF, Germany (AFP) - Finland's Janne Ahonen won the opening round of the Four Hills ski jump tournament here on Wednesday as the 53rd edition of the prestigious event got underway.

World cup leader Janne Ahonen, of Finland, celebrates his win in the first competition of the 53rd. Four Hills ski-jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, southern Germany on Wednesday, Dec. 29. 2004. (AP Photo/Uwe Lein)

The 27-year-old Ahonen, who has won seven of the eight World Cup rounds so far this season, is going for his third Four Hills tournament having won in 1999 and 2003.

Ahonen took victory with 268.4 points from two jumps of 127m and 133.5m with Roar Ljoekelsoy of Norway in second (258.8pts) and Adam Malysz of Poland in third place (253.8).

The Four Hills tournament continues on January 1 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then concludes in Austria at Innsbruck on January 3 and Bischofshofen on January 6.

AFP, Thursday December 30, 04:53 AM

Finland's world cup overall leader Janne Ahonen soars over spectators during the warm up for the first jumping of the 53rd Four Hill Tournament in the southern German town of Oberstdorf, December 29, 2004. (REUTERS/Thomas Bohlen)

Finland's ski jump World Cup overall leader Janne Ahonen soars over the village during the first free practice for the 53nd Four Hill Tournament in the south German town of Oberstdorf, December 28, 2004. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

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