Hamburg  - Simon Ammann aims to make ski-jumping history for Switzerland while Gregor Schlierenzauer looks to end an Austrian title drought at the Four Hills Tour which starts on Monday.

Swiss jumpers have three runner-up finishes in the previous 56 editions of the prestigious German/Austrian competition but never topped the final podium.

Ammann, 27, aims to end the rot as the double 2002 Olympic champion and 2007 world champion is in top form, having won four of seven World Cup events this season and made the podium in two others.

But he won't underestimate Schlierenzauer at the Tour with its stops in Oberstdorf (December 29), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (January 1), Innsbruck (January 4) and Bischofshofen (January 6).

After all, Schlierenzauer is a team event world and Olympic champion who also has six podiums this season highlighted by two wins.

"Gregor and I are ahead of the pack. Right now I have a slight edge and will try to stretch the lead. But he is a top athlete who can reverse matters very quickly," said Ammann.

Schlierenzauer is confident that he can give Austria a first Four Hills crown since Andreas Widhoelzl won the 1999-00 edition. An overall success in front of a home crowd in Bischofshofen would come one day ahead of his 19th birthday on January 7.

"I would bet on myself because I know that I can win any time," said Schlierenzauer.

However, results of the past have shown that the World Cup leaders don't necessarily dominate the Four Hills Tour where jumpers must master four different hills within nine days.

Last season, Thomas Morgenstern of Austria won seven of the eight events heading into the Tour, only to be upstaged there by Finland's Janne Ahonen who bagged a record fifth Four Hills title.

Ahonen is no threat this time around as he has retired, but there are several contenders. German veteran Martin Schmitt has been frequently mentioned and Morgenstern may overcome a slow start into the season.

"It is not only us two (Ammann, Schlierenzauer) who can win. It will be very exciting," said Schlierenzauer.

Schmitt, a four-time world champion and 2002 Olympic team gold medallist, is confident as he is coming off top-10 results in the last four World Cup events, including two fourth places.

"I am very satisfied right now," said Schmitt. "Simon and Gregor have put a certain distance between themselves and the rest. But the Tour has its own rules, everyone wants to do well." (dpa)