Sara Takanashi has topped qualification today in Zao ©Getty Images

Japan's Sara Takanashi heads into tomorrow's International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup top of the standings, having finished with the best score in qualification in her home country.

Takanashi, who has won 63 World Cup events and is regarded as one of the best women's jumpers in history, was in good form today in Zao, finishing with a total of 110.9.

Austrian Eva Pinkelnig was second with 109.8, followed by the German duo of Selina Freitag and Katharina Althaus in third and fourth.

The Japanese jumper won bronze at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics and has four world individual medals too.

Norwegian Anna Odine Strøm finished fifth; while her compatriot Silje Opseth - who has won three events this season - was 21st.

Eva Pinkelnig is the season standings leader ©Getty Images
Eva Pinkelnig is the season standings leader ©Getty Images

Pinkelnig still sits top of the Ski Jumping World Cup season standings, partly due to winning the Silvester Tournament.

Althaus sits second in the rankings with three wins this season.

Takanashi has not won an event in the 2022-2023 campaign, with her last coming in Oslo in March 2022.

However, Takanashi is still clear in the all-time World Cup wins rankings, 33 ahead of Norwegian Maren Lundby, who has 30 to her name.