Cene Prevc topped qualification at the Ski Jumping World Cup in Titisee-Neustadt ©Getty Images

Three Norwegians and one German ski jumper are absent from this weekend's World Cup in Titisee-Neustadt in Germany after testing positive for COVID-19.

Johann André Forfang, Daniel-André Tande and Fredrik Villumstad have all returned positive tests, according to Norwegian newspaper VG.

The International Ski Federation also confirmed Germany's Andreas Wellinger would miss the event after contracting COVID-19.

Their positive tests come just weeks before the start of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, with ski jumping competition scheduled for February 5 to 14.

Large hill qualification took place on the opening day of the World Cup at the German venue today.

Slovenia's Cene Prevc took top spot after his 135.5 metres jump was rewarded with a score of 130.3 points.

Prevc - the younger brother of double Olympic medallist and former World Cup champion Peter - finished 1.4 points clear of overall leader Ryōyū Kobayashi of Japan.

Kobayashi, who holds a 44-point advantage over Germany's Karl Geiger in the race for the Crystal Globe, earned 128.9 points following a jump of 131.5m.

Geiger was third having scored 128.7 points for his 136.0m jump.

Back-to-back large hill competitions are scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday (January 23).