After SS9: Magalhães extends Azores lead

After SS7: Hänninen into third with stage win

Juho Hänninen has claimed his second stage victory on Sata Rallye Açores. The Intercontinental Rally Challenge leader was 2.5s faster than Kris Meeke over the rerun of the 7.90-kilometre Batalha Golfe stage to move into third place overall ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen.

Bruno Magalhães continues to lead outright despite being momentarily distracted by spectators trying to slow him down on the stage, which the Portuguese driver said had cost him valuable seconds.

After SS8: Stage victory boosts Meeke

Kris Meeke has claimed his first stage win of Sata Rallye Açores as he continues his recovery from the puncture and spin that wrecked his chances of a repeat victory on the Atlantic archipelago earlier today.

The Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion is now 41.3s behind overall leader Bruno Magalhães, whose advantage over second-placed Jan Kopecký has been trimmed to 8.8s.

After SS9: Magalhães extends Azores lead

Bruno Magalhães has underlined his dominance of Sata Rallye Açores by winning the repeat of the spectacular Sete Cidades stage to extend his lead over Jan Kopecký to 13.3s.

He was 0.1s faster than fellow Peugeot 207 driver Kris Meeke, who has leapfrogged Andreas Mikkelsen into fourth overall.

Crews are now returning to service in Ponta Delgada. There are three stages remaining before the overnight halt.

Overall standings after SS9: