Eva Pinkelnig won gold today in the women's normal hill individual in Hinzenbach ©Getty Images

Austria's Eva Pinkelnig defeated reigning world champion Ema Klinec of Slovenia to seal gold in the women's normal hill individual event at the Ski Jumping World Cup in Hinzenbach.

Pinkelnig's leading first attempt of 127.7 was crucial as she amassed 254.4 points overall to pip Klinec by 3.9 points in Austria.

Klinec's compatriot Nika Prevc made up the top three with 248.1 points.

The three-time world junior champion was seemingly out of the running for a medal after her seventh-placed initial effort of 118.3.

However a competition-best total of 129.9 on the deciding run saw her shoot up the standings to secure the bronze medal.

After the qualifying stage, the machine that prepares the artificial ice track came loose at the top of the jump bar and then hurtled 120 metres down the ski jump with maintenance staff on it.

Crisis was averted, however, and no-one was injured.

"Thank God nothing happened," said Organising Committee head Bernhard Zauner.

"When the track tiller started to roll, the force generated by the around 500-kilogram device tore the cable from its anchorage.

"A chain of unfortunate circumstances."

Pinkelnig is currently top of the overall World Cup standings with 1,142 points after 17 of 26 events.

She is followed by Germany's Katherina Althaus on 1,003 who finished fourth in Hinzenbach.

Anna Odine Strøm of Norway occupies third place with a total of 815.