Bruce Nelson is a Naval Architect who specializes in high-performance yacht design, and who has competed as a sportsman at the upper echelons in his chosen field.
In 1995, he was the principal designer for the PACT 95 defense syndicate yacht Young America, which was ultimately chosen to be the defender.
Nelson is also an Etchells 22 sailor of some note, having won many local regattas in the San Diego fleet at the National level.
Built in just 72 days, and launched 3 hours before the San Diego Yachting Cup, it lived up to its name.
One of the more interesting stories is the Catalina 42, the hull of which was originally designed as a limited production ocean racer.