Loeb has had a shaky start

Loeb struggled in Sweden

Th world champion three times Loeb got off to a shaky start in the opening super special stage of the Swedish Rally on Thursday.

The Frenchman stalled his Citreon on the start line of the Karlstad horse racing track to finish 20th overall.

Toni Gardemeister was quickest round two 1.9km laps in one minute 31.9 secs to take the lead for Mitsubishi.

Swedish fans who braved the freezing temperatures were treated to a spectacle as the cars raced two at a time around the sweeping bends in Karlstad.

The circuit also included a jump which saw some cars fly for 30m through the air.

The real business begins in Friday's second leg.