The 26-year-old posted jumps of 107 and 102 metres to amass a total score of 258.8 points on the first day of the weekend-long event, with another gold available tomorrow at the Adler Ski Stadium.

Slovenian Ema Klinec, who led qualification, finished second with 237.6 points after landing 102m and 105.5m attempts in the women's large hill individual.

Abigail Strate of Canada then rounded out the top three with 236.6 points.

Her jumps of 103 and 106.6m put her on the podium for the first time.

"I'm very, very happy," Althaus said.

"In front of the home crowd it is always special and it feels great to stand on the top here."

The result saw Althaus pocket CHF4,000 (£3,500/$4,300/€3,995), her joint-biggest pay check so far this year.

She is the second-highest earner so far this year, with CHF37,790 (£33,000/$41,000/€37,700), just behind Eva Pinkelnig of Austria on CHF69,690 (£61,000/$75,500/€69,600).

Despite only finishing 13th, Pinkelnig's 1,036 points puts her top of the overall standings while Akthaus and Anna Odine Stroem of Norway follow with 853 and 673 points, respectively.

The competition is set to continue in Hinterzarten tomorrow.