Jamie McCanney made a great start to the 2017 Maxxis FIM Enduro World Championship in Finland on Saturday.

The recently crowned Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year won the opening round of the E1 championship in extremely cold conditions, with temperatures struggling to get above -13C.

Based at Vierumäki, 200 kilometres north of Helsinki, the 83rd edition of Päijänne saw 180 riders race relentlessly for 12-and-a-half hours, with 16 timed special tests spread over more than 400km.

The day began on frozen soil, considerably different to those from special test four onwards where the abundant snow depth was in excess of 60 centimetres (23 inches).

After the retirement of close rival Eemil Pohjola, Jamie was top man in the E1 category. The factory Yamaha Outsiders rider offered up a splendid and unexpected victory on the first day of the somewhat fearsome event, holding off charges from local rider Jussi Arvaja and Englishman Brad Freeman.

’If I had been told that I was going to start the season in Finland with a win in my class I would never have believed it,’ said Jamie. ’Of course, if Pohjola hadn’t had a mechanical issue I wouldn’t be on the top step of the podium, but as we often say: to finish first, first you have to finish.

’It feels good to start the season like this even if I’m feeling tired.’

The home riders were impregnable in the largest capacity E3 class, but Jamie’s brother Daniel McCanney rode well for a seventh place finish on the the factory Gas Gas.

The Polar Chill eased slightly on Sunday as the event moved further south towards its finish in Helsinki. The snow was less abundant but Jamie couldn’t replicate his day one victory, having to settle for fifth. He nevertheless takes charge of the small capacity class with his Yamaha WR250, holding a small overall lead over fellow Brit Freeman.

’I gave a lot yesterday [Saturday] and suddenly, I felt more tired today, coupled with settings which weren’t necessarily right for this race, I had difficulties.’

Daniel McCanney rode well for fourth place in a battle with former top Finn Marko Tarkkala, who showed a lot of pace despite retiring from World Enduro several years ago.

l More in Thursday’s Manx Independent.