Intro:

World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier of France holds a narrow lead in the 62nd Rally Sweden over Norway's Andreas Mikkelsen and Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland after 7 special stages of a schdeuled 17 were completed on Thursday (6th February).

Script:

Following Wednesday night's super special stage, the 62nd Rally Sweden moved into the Swedish and Norwegian countryside on Thursday.

Reigning world champion Sebastien Ogier of France won two of the opening three stages of the day to set the pace, overtaking Norway's Andreas Mikkelsen at the top of the standings.

Czech driver Martin Prokop struggled in the slippery conditions, sliding off into a ditch on stage two.

Prokop received plenty of help from some willing spectators, but with the clock still running, he didn't hang around and almost took a couple of passengers with him.

Up ahead, and Ogier wasn't troubled by the fresh snow covering the track and ploughed through comfortably.

The championship leader performed well throughout the day and will take a narrow 5.8 second lead into Friday's nine scheduled stages.

Volkswagen team mate Mikkelsen took stages four and six, but lost six seconds to Ogier on the final leg.

Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala completed an all-Volkswagen top three at the end of the first day, 12.2 seconds off the pace.