Alex Thomson's Open 60 Hugo Boss came under the knife this morning as the six strong team of boatbuilders got to work on cutting away the damaged area of the boat.

David Duff, Shore Operations Manager for British Americas Cup team Team ORIGIN, who is helping with the logistics and project management of the repair reported today that the new replacement panel, which will fit over the hole in the side of the boat, should arrive this evening from Vannes.

Their operational target is to re-step the mast Friday 31st October with the objective of sailing again Sat 1st November.

Duff´s boss Mike Sanderson, who was in Les Sables d´Olonne until Monday night and is skippering a Transatlantic record attempt, is being kept up to date with their progress.