Johansson, last year’s event winner, had been in dominant form on home soil, extending his overnight advantage to nearly a minute with a commanding run through Sarsjöliden. But his hopes faded on the first run through Kolksele when the Swede strayed off-line and buried his M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 in a deep snowbank, losing almost three minutes.
FIA Rally Star graduate Gill took full advantage. The Australian surged into the lead and delivered a faultless drive across the following four ice-laden speed tests to end the day in Umeå with a commanding 1min 11.4sec cushion.
Despite his costly error, Johansson mounted a fierce fightback. Initially dropping as low as fourth, the 19-year-old clawed back lost ground with a string of rapid stage times to claim second, powering past both Eamonn Kelly and Ali Türkkan in the process.
Kelly, representing the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, remained in podium contention, but with Türkkan breathing down his neck just 1.2sec behind, the battle for third remained wide open.
Belgian newcomer Thomas Martens continued to impress on his Junior WRC debut, showcasing strong speed to move within 5.4sec of fifth-placed Kerem Kazaz in the morning. Kazaz, who was slowed by a damaged tyre on SS10, hit back in the second half of the day - re-extending the gap back to 12.1sec.
Max Smart had been sitting sixth but fell behind Martens after going off the road on SS10. The South African would later retire for the day with water pump failure following another trip into the scenery.
WRC Young Driver Team contenders Claire Schönborn and Lyssia Baudet occupied seventh and eighth, while Tristan Charpentier - recovering from a Friday setback - placed ninth. The Frenchman showed flashes of brilliance on his debut and set the fastest time for SS11.
Diego Domínguez and Joosep Nõgene both rejoined under restart rules, with Nõgene ending the day on a high with the third-fastest time on SS15.
Just three stages and almost 70km of competitive action remain on Sunday before Rally Sweden crowns its winner.
