US actor and producer Tom Cruise. Photo: Valery Hache / AFP / Lehtikuva
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Hollywood actor Tom Cruise made a brief and unexpected stop in western Finland on Wednesday, where he visited the yacht builder Nautor in Pietarsaari.
Cruise arrived early in the morning at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport aboard a private jet that had departed from Nassau, Bahamas. He was greeted by airport ground operations supervisor Niina Seikkula, who presented him with a small welcome gift containing Finnish chocolate, salmiakki, and a note reading “Welcome to Finland.”
“He was polite and very talkative,” Seikkula said. “He shook hands with everyone and acted like a true gentleman.”
Cruise was then flown by helicopter to Nautor’s shipyard, where he reportedly viewed a 108-foot yacht he had ordered earlier this year. He also inspected a larger 128-foot vessel that the company had recently completed. Nautor has not commented on the visit, citing client confidentiality.
The yacht manufacturer, known for its high-end Swan sailing yachts, has operated in the region since the 1960s. In 2023, Italy’s Sanlorenzo Group acquired a majority stake in the company.
Cruise’s stopover lasted around three and a half hours. According to several local media reports, he left Finland just after 11:00. Before departing, he briefly commented to a reporter that the yacht was “beautiful”.
The visit triggered significant local interest. Curious residents gathered outside the shipyard after hearing of the celebrity’s arrival.
“We had some free time and decided to come take a look,” said Erik Rak, who visited the site with two friends. “I’ve seen a few of his movies, but I’m not a superfan.”
His friend Nicolas Ainasoja said he had watched several Cruise films and described the actor’s stunts as “insane”.
Cruise’s presence in Pietarsaari made headlines internationally. Local officials were informed in advance that a prominent figure from the United States might be visiting to view a yacht, but were not told who it would be.
Anne Ekstrand, the city’s mayor, said she only learned of Cruise’s identity from news reports.
“The city doesn’t get involved in these visits, but I’m very happy Pietarsaari is being mentioned in newspapers around the world,” she said.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
