Lappi claimed three stage wins from the four afternoon tests that were plagued by snow flurries that made conditions incredibly challenging for crews. The performance helped Lappi overhaul Katsuta to open up a 3.2s rally lead after eight of 18 stages.
Katsuta ended the day as the lead Toyota after overnight leader Kalle Rovanpera crashed out on stage four after running wide into a snowbank, with Hyundai’s Ott Tanak retiring after also falling victim to the snowbanks.
