Dear readers,

When celebrities devote themselves to our favourite pastimes, it's not always easy to classify them. Will it be short-lived or is it meant seriously and just an embarrassing PR move? Now Tom Cruise is going sailing. Yes, of course, but only cruising and not regatta sailing... What was initially dismissed as excited trade fair talk became a veritable rumour from event to event. One that was so persistent and credibly enriched that there had to be something to it. The name Swan came into play, and soon there was talk of a sailing large format. And it just so happened that the Finns announced the construction of a new flagship in 128 feet at the height of the colportage. Of course, everything has to be bigger for a Hollywood star from the USA.

Only the Flash visit from Tom Cruise in Jakobstad brought certainty: it will be a Swan 108, Nautor's second largest model. A highly technical vessel made of carbon fibre with elegant Frers lines and a striking deck design with stealth touches by Micheletti + Partners. Fitting, even though it will probably be his first sailing yacht. The 62-year-old is said to have done more than just mime the novice in the two-handed sailing scene of "Top Gun: Maverick". While he and his ex, Penny, are hooking up again on the J/125, Maverick - wearing an open bomber jacket and aviator sunglasses - clings to the stern pulpit in a crisp breeze. The shot had to be filmed twice. Cruise didn't like the first shots in light winds off San Diego, according to his film partner Jennifer Connelly (Penny) in a TV interview. The boat was too slow, was the judgement of the amateur pilot. It was only before San Francisco that there was the required pressure and speed.

Sailing and Hollywood, that's one of those things for specialised magazines and their readership. It's more or less about the public display of a subculture - even if sailing is a "popular sport" in terms of distribution, there is a deeply petty impact due to the (nautical) "correct" practice. Then it gets niche, then: many dos, many donts. Conveying the fascination of sailing on the big screen while adhering to the various codes is a daring endeavour; nerds and fundies are ready to flood commentary columns with nonsense. Just think of the humbug in "All is lost" with Robert Redford. The most recent attempt is the film "The sea before us"which thematises the Golden Globe Race.

In "Wind", the Conner-Bertrand rivalry surrounding the America's Cup made it to the big cinema stage in 1992. At this point, I confess to being a big fan of the film produced by Francis Ford Coppola, in which the "core" component described above was sometimes too light and the conceit was often laid on too thick. Whereby "Wind" makes a sensational impact with the fast-cut opening scene of the 14-footer world championship in Australia. The seemingly static AC races held on 12s could not keep up the pace, the chess games at sea were too complex for non-sailors. Well then, my passion for sailing had further fuelled the visual power, and three years later Kevin Costner in "Waterworld" Interest in futuristic multihulls.

Sailing acting greats are rarely seen in the media or on regatta courses. One of them is the British character actor and Island owner Jeremy Ironswho grew up on the Isle of Wight and later indulged in sailing in Ireland. Errol Flynn went on holiday on the 36 metre long wooden schooner "Zaca" in the Golden Age of Hollywood, which were gigantic dimensions in the middle of the 20th century. US actor Morgan Freeman took up sailing at the age of 30 and continued to handle the oars and sheets into old age, most recently on a 43-foot ketch. With his golden ear jewellery, Freeman brought his passion to the outside world by continuing the tradition of the sailor's earring. It says that gold hanging from the earlobe is worth just as much as a coffin, which is needed for a decent burial when dying in a foreign place.

If there are to be any iconic images of Tom Cruise on the wheel of his Swan, it will probably be without maritime accessories. He certainly won't be studying Matthew Modine's wooden stance in "Wind" and standing confidently and focussed at the wheel. Regardless of what you think of Cruise, he is a representative of Hollywood's A-list who has the potential to elevate sailing to the big stage. Like many of his colleagues in the industry, he could have bought a motor yacht; Steven Spielberg, for example, operates the 109-metre-long "Seven Seas".

And there is a motorised format from a German owner, which he keeps in the style of "Top Gun". "Maverick" (44 m) imitates the lines of the F-14 Tomcat, with a range of Top Gun memorabilia on board. While anchored off the coast of Sicily, a local Italian newspaper even asked whether Tom Cruise was visiting.

A Swan aesthetically remodelled into a fighter jet is unlikely to be Tom Cruise's choice. That would be the ultimate break in style. But even the steel grey of the first Swan 108 "Fancy" awakens associations. Is Jetblack coming now? Cruise won't be travelling slowly with his 36-metre sloop, and will hopefully also be making an appearance at regattas. The fact that you don't have to cross the line in your own yacht has been proven these days Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. The actor Beaus appeared as co-owners of the Australian SailGP team BONDS. And perhaps Tom Cruise will bring sailing back to the cinema screen or displays in a plot-defining way. But only after intensive use of his Swan and avoiding all the pitfalls, please. With plenty of accumulated "Sail Credibility": Mission Possible.

Sören Gehlhaus

YACHT editor

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