HAMPSHIRE match racing ace Ian Williams bounced back from a shock early exit from the World Match Racing Tour season opener to win round two in style.

Lymington yachtsman Williams and his Team GAC Pindar swept to victory at the Congressional Cup, beating Swedish sailor Johnie Berntsson in the fifth race of a 'best of five' final.

A stark contrast to their surprise defeat in the first round of the knockout stages of Match Cup Australia last month, the result also makes amends for six-time match racing world champion Williams' disappointing 2016 result at the Congressional Cup where he and his crew were forced to settle for last place.

Williams, the world's most successful match racing skipper, is attempting to win an historic seventh championship title this year, and if he can pull it off he will be the only sailor ever to have done so.

In recognition of his victory in the Congressional Cup, held in Long Beach, California, Williams earned himself the coveted crimson blazer.

It is the third time he has won the event after victories in 2011 and 2012.

"It was great for Team GAC Pindar to bounce back after the disappointment of last year and capture our 3rd crimson blazer," Williams said.

"We started the week slowly but improved each day to the point that we had great crew work and were full of confidence going into the final which we needed every bit of to come from behind to win the final race."

The next round of the World Match Racing Tour will take place in Marstrand, Sweden, from July 4 to 8.