Austria's Stefan Kraft won the opening leg of the Four Hills tournament as Swiss favourite Simon Ammann crashed in the Oberstdorf World Cup event on Monday.

Kraft scored 291.9 points to edge compatriot Michael Hayboeck (285) into second with Slovenia's Peter Prevc third (283.9).

Poland's double Olympic champion Kamil Stoch (274.9) just missed out on a top three finish while four-time Games winner Ammann failed to make the final.

It means the Swiss has almost no chance of winning the Four Hills competition.

It is no different for last year's overall winner Thomas Diethart of Austria, who finished down in 27th place with 222.3 points.

The next Four Hills event is in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on December 31.

Results:

1. Stefan Kraft (AUT) 291.9 pts (136.5m + 129.0m)

2. Michael Hayboeck (AUT) 285.0 (137.5 + 132.5)

3. Peter Prevc (SLO) 283.9 (139.5 + 125.5)

4. Kamil Stoch (POL) 274.9 (129.0 + 131.0)

5. Andreas Kofler (GER) 274.8 (135.5 + 126.0)

World Cup standings (after 10 events):

1. Michael Hayboeck (AUT) 513 pts

2. Anders Fannemel (NOR) 512

3. Roman Koudelka (CZE) 506

4. Peter Prevc (SLO) 450

5. Severin Freund (GER) 443

(AFP)