Ahonen and Janda in tie

ByEurosport

Published 06/01/2006 at 17:40 GMT

Defending champion Janne Ahonen and overall World Cup leader Jakub Janda were involved in a dramatic tie for the Four Hills title on Friday. Ahonen's two-point victory over Janda in Bischofshofen meant that for the first time in the tournament's 54-year-h

Ahonen's victory meant the Finn became only the second man in history - behind German jumper Jens Weissflog (1984, 1985, 1991 and 1996) - to win the Four Hills on four occasions.

But the ever-modest Ahonen, who triumphed in 1999, 2003 and 2005, paid tribute to German legend Weissflog after his victory.

"Alongside Matti Nykänen, Jens is one of the best jumpers of all time," said the 28-year-old. "It's a huge honour for me to equal one of his records."

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SKI JUMPING 2005-2006 Bischofshofen Janne Ahonen

Image credit: dpa

Norway's Roar Ljoekelsoey finished third on the day to take the third place in the overall standings.

HISTORIC TIE

With Ahonen going up against Janda in the final pairing of the first round, both jumped 141 metres - the Czech finishing top on style - to leave everything open in the final jump.

Switzerland's Andreas Kuettel equalled his fine first-round leap of 137 metres in the second round to lead, before Ljoekelsoey overtook him with a jump of 138 metres.

But Ahonen produced a spectacular jump of 141.5 metres to set a new winning target of 293 points, with only Janda left to jump.

And the Czech could only manage 139 metres to finish second on 291, meaning a dramatic overall tie with Ahonen on 1081.5 points.

SKI JUMPING 2005-2006 Bischofshofen Janne Ahonen Jakub Janda

Image credit: dpa

"I take my hat off to Janne and have a huge amount of respect for his achievement," said Weissflog afterwards.

"I have no problem with the record - he described me as his idol," joked the German.

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