STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville stretched his Rally Sweden lead to 43.3 seconds while Kris Meeke crashed into a snow bank on Saturday when one stage was canceled due to safety concerns. The 12th stage was scrapped by race organizers following a recommendation by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) due to concerns about the high speeds on the icy, snowy course. Citroen’s Meeke thanked spectators for helping him after he hit a snow bank.
“The rear (of my car) snapped away from me, I couldn’t turn in. Thanks to the spectators for helping us,” Meeke said on Twitter.
Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala lies in second place, while Estonia’s Ott Tanak is third.
World champion Sebastien Ogier remains fourth, over a minute behind the leader.
The race ends on Sunday.
(Reporting by Philip O’Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar)