Preparatory work is continuing apace for Hugo Boss´ surgery which is expected to begin tomorrow. According to Alex Thomson the first job is to cut away the damage to the hull side and cut away the bulkhead areas which need to be replaced and that will probably happen tomorrow. Multiplast should, he says, have the 5m by 2m replacement panel ready Thursday night or Friday. The rig repair is also reliant on the replacement spreader roots being made in Auckland, New Zealand. And Kiwi boat builder Paul Quinn, who ran the build of Offshore Challenges’ Farr designed Open 60 BT, and built the Amer Sports VO60’s is arriving to supervise the repair.

The skies, still veiled early this morning, will gradually clear, as a ridge of high pressure builds over the north west of France. Temperatures remain on the cool side ranging from 8 to 14°C today (Wednesday). The NNE´ly wind is currently around ten knots and will die away during the afternoon.

Tide times in Les Sables d’Olonne:
Wednesday 22nd October: coefficient 47 – 44
High tide: 0h04 - 12h31
Low tide: 5h06 – 17h59
Thursday 23rd October: coefficient 45 – 48
High tide: 1h23 – 13h47
Low tide: 6h28 – 19h22

As a cold front passes over France, the first drops of rain have fallen on the Vendée Globe village. This will fortunately not last long, according to Météo France, who have forecast an improvement for late this afternoon. On Wednesday, the skies will remain partly veiled, before the sun returns in all its glory on Thursday. The north-easterly wind currently blowing at around ten knots is expected to back north-westerly during the afternoon and strengthen to 15 knots.

Tide times in les Sables d’Olonne:
Tuesday 21st October: coefficient 51 – 47
High tide: 10h50 – 23h57
Low tide: 2h52 – 15h28

Wednesday 22nd October: coefficient 44
High tide: 12h31
Low tide: 5h06 – 17h59

125 primary school children from Vendée were able to meet and chat with the skipper of the 60´ Generali. Yann Eliès willingly answered all sorts of questions, such as, "Do you get scared at sea?" and "Do you do the housework on board?" Each class went away pleased to have met the yachtsman and with a signed poster.

It is understood the manufacturers of the rig for Hugo Boss have confirmed that the broken mast can be sleeved and repaired. The boat itself is expected to be moved this evening, detailed ultrasound inspections are being completed. Mike Sanderson, skipper of Britain´s TeamOrigin America´s Cup team is presently helping oversee the inspection and giving input to the possible repair procedure and timings. Tuesday´s press conference announcement has been delayed until 1700h.

There has been little additional information concerning the repairs planned by Alex Thomson and the Hugo Boss shore team. While the British yachtsman remains confident in his ability to get his monohull fixed after the damage she received when struck by a fishing boat off Les Sables d’Olonne last week, the evaluation process continues. A large part of the internal structure of the boat has been damaged at the level of the starboard shroud chain plate, and it will be necessary to rebuild and fill a five metre long, two metre high hole in the side of the boat using the original Hugo Boss mould. For the mast, Alex Thomson believes the solution of repairing the spar, which broke in two, is the most realistic. After an inspection by the manufacturer, he is now waiting for some specialist equipment to arrive to analyse the breakage using ultrasound technology. The conclusions are expected to be announced at a press conference tomorrow morning.