The 26-year-old double Olympic silver medallist was second after the first jumps as she flew out to 89.5 metres for 116.5 points.

Overall World Cup leader Eva Pinkelnig of Austria led after a 90m jump for 117.1 points but Althaus was able to leapfrog her after the second jumps.

The German improved to 98.5m, the longest jump of the day, for 134.5 points which saw her end on 251.0.

Pinkelnig went further to 93m but her 121.5 points saw her forced to settle for second on 238.6 points.

Eirin Maria Kvandal of Norway claimed bronze for her first podium of the season.

Her jumps of 88m and 91.5m saw her end on a tally of 233.3.

In the overall standings, Pinkelnig now boasts 1402 points, a lead of 209 over Althaus who has closed the gap.

Anna Odine Stroem of Norway is third and 472 points adrift of the leader.

With 600 points left available this season from the six remaining events, it looks like a straight fight between Pinkelnig and Althaus.

A second World Cup will be held in Râșnov tomorrow, when a men's event is also scheduled.

On Sunday (February 19), a men's team event is due to be held.

After Râșnov, attention will turn to the Nordic World Ski Championships which are due to begin on Tuesday (February 21) in Planica in Slovenia.