David Sliom is a Data Transmission and Security Expert with the U.S. Bureau of the Census. He was born in Durban, South Africa where he learned to sail. He raced several classes of dinghies before moving to the United States in 1977. He raced Lasers through the early 1980s, and also crewed with his parents on their San Juan 21. He then took a break from competitive sailing until purchasing Dancing Bear in 1996. Since then he has campaigned the Dancing Bear on the Chesapeake Bay. The Dancing Bear crew have won their class in Annapolis Race Week for the past two years, topping a 24 boat fleet in 2001 and a 17 boat fleet in 2002. Dave likes to bring crewmembers on his boat that have not sailed before, hopefully introducing as many new people to the sport as possible.

Sailing with Dave and trimming main will be Ed Ericson. Ed, started sailing with Dave when he first started to campaign the Dancing Bear. Ed had no sailing experience prior to that, but has become a top notch trimmer and an integral member of the regular crew. Ed and Dave curl competitively together in the winter (yes the sport where rocks are slid down a sheet of ice), so they have a very close rapport when participating together on a team.

Holly Clarke will be trimming jib in this regatta and has been sailing with the Dancing Bear starting this past season. A Florida native, she has been sailing for fourteen years, and racing for twelve. Growing up on the Gulf Coast, she raced on Flying Scots, J 29's, and J 30's. While attending college, she raced on a variety of different boats in the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami area, including J 24's. Holly moved to the Washington area last June to pursue her dream of designing racing sailboats, and has been sailing with the crew of Dancing Bear ever since. She is currently employed as a naval architect for John J. McMullen Associates. A dinghy sailor at heart, she also enjoys racing Vanguard 15's, and hopes to one day be able to race on one of her own designs.

Melissa Thompson Currier rediscovered sailing almost 10 years ago on a Buzzards Bay-to-Annapolis delivery. Since then she has regularly raced Lightenings and Lasers out of Chequessett Yacht & Country Club in Wellfleet, MA and Tempests out of Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis where she will be campaigning a Tempest this year with Dave as her crew. As a member of Eastport Yacht Club, she has had the pleasure of crewing for several member-skippers. She joined the regular crew of Bruce Gardner's L'Outrage (Beneteau 10m) in 1999 and Dave Sliom's Dancing Bear in 2002. She has also crewed on Tom Johnson's Altaire (Reichel/Pugh 44) and the occasional J-29, J-24, J-22 and MORC boat. Melissa is also a member of a Melges crew for the Annual Women's Big Boat Regatta in Annapolis. Melissa and her husband also race/cruise their Alberg 30, Infinity, when time allows.

Keeping things organized and tidy up front will be Sam Bellas. Sam is also a new crewmember sailing with the Dancing Bear this past season. He had not sailed prior to joining the Dancing Bear crew, but in the short span of one year has become an excellent bowman. Always willing to accept the tough jobs and keeping the crew entertained with his wonderful sense of humor, not to mention keeping the crew stocked with green beer while practicing on St. Patrick's Day.

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