Vancouver (AFP) –

SKI JUMPING
Gregor Schlierenzauer

The Austrian star passed a major milestone on January 7. He turned 20, so at the Vancouver Games there’ll be no more talk about the Austrian Wunderkind who had already piled up 28 World Cup successes while still a teen.

Schlieri’s promise did not take long to shine through, as witnessed by a junior world title at 16 while world team golds followed in 2007 and 2009.

Five wins have come this season enabling the 20-year-old to keep pace with Swiss double Olympic champion Simon Ammann in the World Cup standings despite skipping the trip to Sapporo.

In the Four Hills he suffered disappointment as despite two wins he could only place fourth overall while Olympic silver medalist and compatriot Andreas Kofler raced off with the big prize ahead of Finnish veteran Janne Ahonen and another Austrian in Wolfgang Loitzl.

That’s why Olympic glory in Vancouver is so important to the youngster.

“Winning the Olympics is my childhood dream but for that to happen a lot of things have to come together,” he explained.

“But every year the cards are thrown up in the air and how they come down has nothing to do with past form.”

A training fall last year saw Schlierenzauer injure his right knee but he has bounced back and is, along with Ammann, the man to beat.

Austrian fans are spoilt for choice – but on top form Schlieri should be the hot tip.