Stefan Kraft topped men's qualification in Switzerland today ©Getty Images

Austria's defending overall champion Stefan Kraft topped qualification as action began at the men's International Ski Federation Ski Jumping World Cup in Engelberg.

The 24-year-old double world champion led 50 qualifiers on the Swiss hill, registering a jump of 134.5 metres for 144.5 points.

Two Germans, Richard Freitag and Markus Eisenbichler, were Kraft's nearest challengers.

Freitag, who currently tops the overall standings after two World Cup wins this season, managed 132m for 140.7 points while Eisenbichler managed 128m for a tally of 139.9.

Individual finals will now be held on consecutive days in Engelberg from tomorrow, where 20 centimetres of fresh snow fell overnight.

Katharina Althaus came out on top at the women's World Cup in Germany ©Getty Images
Katharina Althaus came out on top at the women's World Cup in Germany ©Getty Images

In women's action, World Cup leader Katharina Althaus of Germany topped qualification on her home hill in Hinterzarten.

Althaus has won two of the three World Cups held so far this term and managed 102m for 127.1 points.

Japan's defending overall World Cup champion Sara Takanashi managed 101m for 124.9 points in second place, with Lucile Morat coming third with a jump of 102.5m and 124.1 points.

An inaugural team women's event will be held tomorrow before the individual final on Sunday (December 17).