Centenary pursuit race MSS 100 years
Motala Segelsällskap
Motala Segelsällskap is a long-established dinghy sailing club on Lake Vättern in the Råssnäs recreation area near Motala, founded in 1926. The extensive waterfront site includes a clubhouse, Snipestugan, Majblomman with storage for sails and rigs, a large jetty, boat racks on the lawn, changing rooms, sauna, pressure washer and a barbecue area overlooking Motalaviken. The club welcomes everyone from racing sailors to complete beginners and provides club boats such as Optimists, Lasers, Snipes and Hobie Cat 16 for training. The programme includes a sailing school for children and young people aged 6–18 on Monday evenings, Sunday sailing from May to September, a summer sailing camp and a two-day adult sailing school. Around eight adults regularly supervise training sessions, and the premises can also be hired for private events.
History
Motala Segelsällskap was formed in 1926 on Sandön outside Motala when a group of young people sailing traditional Vättern snipes came together. The aim was to create an association for sailing the traditional Vättern snipe in single- and double-masted versions. In the early 1930s the current clubhouse in Råssnäs was purchased and has since been the centre of club activities. Snipe sailing declined, and in the late 1950s other boat types came into focus – above all the OK dinghy. This gave the club a new boost and it became a highly successful dinghy racing club. Over the years around one hundred sailing dinghies were amateur-built under club auspices, first OK dinghies, then Optimists and Mirrors. Thanks to the attractive Råssnäs site, MSS has repeatedly hosted major regattas, including Swedish championships for Optimist, Flipper and Folkbåt, junior nationals for OK and national championships for Mirror. In 2026 the club celebrates its centenary with anniversary pursuit sailing and festivities on Lake Vättern.
Information
Facilities
Clubhouse with kitchen for up to 130 people, Snipestugan with overnight accommodation, Majblomman with sail and rig storage plus men's changing room and sauna, women's changing room and toilets in a separate building, large jetty, boat racks on the lawn, pressure washer, barbecue area near Snipestugan, waste sorting on site
Activities
Sailing school for children and young people, summer sailing camp, Sunday sailing, adult sailing school, navigation training, club regattas, venue hire for private parties, sponsorship and corporate events, voluntary work and boat maintenance days
Youth section
Sailing school for children and young people aged 6 to 18, Monday evenings from May to June and from August, with high staffing of around eight adults; summer sailing camp in June
Guest berths
Members can rent berth spaces