SS13: Rovanpera maintains lead despite snow

Heavy overnight snow and more of the white stuff falling as the cars set off on today's first stage was the worst possible scenario for Rovanpera, but the Peugeot driver managed to hold off all but a charging Richard Burns to stay ahead overall after the 14.76 km SS13.

Burns, who lies 20th and 12 minutes behind the leaders after getting stranded on a snow bank on the first day, put in a late charge to take his second stage win of the event.

Carlos Sainz finished third behind Rovanpera, but stayed fourth overall. The Ford driver dropped out of the lead yesterday (Saturday) with engine gremlins, but was encouraged by this morning's weather which could give the Spaniard his only chance to end the Scandinavian domination of this event.

"I'm going to attack on the first two stages and see what happens. I know them very well and I like them," said the Sainz before the start. "The third and fourth stages are a repeat of the first two and so we'll have to see if they stand up to the passing cars. However, the snow that is falling may help to keep them in good condition."

Four time world champion Tommi Makinen finished fourth on the Sagen stage, which is repeated later this morning, just 2.4 seconds ahead of charging team mate Thomas Radstrom. The Swede has local knowledge of the snowy sections which has helped him to third place overall.

Rovanpera's Peugeot team mate Toni Gardemeister finished in sixth place ahead of Frenchman Francois Delecour in the third Ford Focus WRC.


Richard Burns (GB)/Robert Reid(GB), Subaru Impreza WRC*, 7m55.4s
Harri Rovanpera (FIN)/Risto Pietilainen (FIN), Peugeot 206 WRC, 7m56.5
Carlos Sainz (E)/Luis Moya(E), Ford Focus RS WRC*, 7m59.9
Tommi Makinen (FIN)/Risto Mannisenmaki(FIN), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution*, 8m01.6
Thomas Radstrom (S)/Tina Thorner (S), Mitsubishi Carisma GT, 8m04.0
Toni Gardemeister (FIN)/ Paavo Lukander (FIN), Peugeot 206 WRC, 8m04.2



Harri Rovanpera (FIN)/Risto Pietilainen (FIN), Peugeot 206 WRC, 2h41m06.4s
Tommi Makinen (FIN)/Risto Mannisenmaki(FIN), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution*, +0:12.4s
Thomas Radstrom (S)/Tina Thorner (S), Mitsubishi Carisma GT, +0:19.9s
Carlos Sainz (E)/Luis Moya(E), Ford Focus RS WRC*, +0:31.9s
Francois Delecour (F)/Daniel Grataloup (F), Ford Focus RS WRC, +1m32.1s
Didier Auriol(F)/Denis Giraudet(F), Peugeot 206 WRC*, +1m45.5s

*denotes nominated for manufacturers' championship points