Austria kings of the hill

Defending champions Austria easily regained their title as they walked away with gold in the men's Olympic ski jumping team event at Whistler.

Austria had the four highest-ranked jumpers in the team competition, so it was hardly a surprise when they tallied an Olympic record score of 1107.9 to claim gold.

It was a disappointing performance during the two individual hill contests for Austria, as Swiss superstar Simon Ammann won both gold medals.

Ammann, however, could not take part in the team event as Switzerland only has two jumpers in the Olympics and could therefore not put out a team.

Germany took the silver after coming in second with a score of 1035.8, while Norway claimed bronze with 1030.3.

Big leap

Gregor Schlierenzauer, who took home bronze in both the individual events, sailed off the ramp to record a huge leap of 146.5m in his final jump to land gold for the Austrians.

Schierenzauer saved the best to last with his giant jump and almost lost his footing on the landing, but the 20-year-old somehow avoided any contact with the ground despite crouching into a sitting position on landing to ensure the jump stood.

The loss of style points for the awkward landing was not enough to prevent the Austria team, which also included Wolfgang Loitzl, Andreas Kofler and Thomas Morgenstern, from taking the gold from Germany.

"For me, this has been a perfect first Olympics," Schierenzauer said. "I won three medals.

"For myself, I have to say individual medals are better, but it's great to be Olympic champion with the team. We have worked hard together all year."

Record

It was a record equalling fifth consecutive team gold for Austria at major competitions, as they won the 2005, 07 and 09 World Championships along with Olympic gold in Turin four years ago.

"I feel so fantastic. It is a dream. And now three, three gold medals (in his Olympic career)," added Morgansteen.

"I really can't believe this. We have all done it together, such great friends, such a great team."

The second-placed German side contained Michael Uhrmann, Michael Neumayer, Andreas Wank and Martin Schmitt, while Norway were represented by Johan Remen Evensen, Tom Hilde, Anders Jacobsen and Anders Bardal.