Hamburg - Janne Ahonen announced Monday that he is to return to ski-jumping less than a year after announcing his retirement from the sport, the Finnish STT news agency reported Monday.

Ahonen called time on his career in March 2008, just two and a half months after claiming a record fifth title at the prestigious Four Hills tour, saying he no longer had the drive to train and wanted to call it a day at the peak of his powers.

However, the 31-year-old Finn has now changed his mind and is focused on trying to win a first individual Olympic title in Vancouver in 2010, securing another Four Hills crown as well as competing in the ski-flying world championships next season.

"I am confident that I will return in top condition," said Ahonen, who amassed a total 36 World Cup wins in a career spanning 15 years, including a record 12 in one season 2004/2005.

He won the overall World Cup twice, has a large hill world title from 2005 but never won an individual medal at the Olympics. (dpa)