Reigning SuperSport champions Angelo Tedeschi and Aaron Ciantar have said that there’s still plenty of scope for improvement in their partnership for 2009, despite an almost fault-free season in 2008. The pair dominated the production class last year, winning all but one race and only losing that through a post-race jump start penalty.

The #44 Conam Yachts pair will partner each other again in the new #43 Ukranian Spirit team, using a Chaudron hull from the firm of Aaron’s father Charlie Ciantar and Ilmor power, following a switch from the Mercury engines used in 2008.

Tedeschi is looking to win his third straight SuperSport title, having also won the crown in 2007, but has hinted that increased competition from rival teams in the SuperSport class mean that he and Aaron will have to raise their game if they want to repeat their title success in 2009.

“It was very important for us to continue working together, because we can still always improve our driving together,” Tedeschi said. “Last year we felt we worked very well together during the races, but I think another year together will make us improve even more.

“Aaron and I feel very confident  and strong, but the experience of many years in Powerboat P1 tells us that the 2009 season will be very challenging and tough. All the teams have made strong investments to improve their boats – for example, Team Al&Al has new engines potentially more powerful than ours. This year in SuperSport there will be at least six boats at some level of performance that can win the title.”

That’s an opinion shared by Ciantar. “It’s very important for both of us to be driving together again, because we got used to each other and feel really comfortable together in the boat,” he said. “We had a very good run in 2008, and we are looking forward to another successful season in 2009. This year both Angelo and I are eager to further strengthen our driving skills in the boat so that we will retain the championship once again.”