Team New Zealand have been given the go-ahead to use their new ear pieces during the America’s Cup races.The communications equipment was questioned by Prada who believed the ear pieces might be capable of picking up signals from off the race boat, which would contravene racing rules. But the international jury today declared the ear-pieces were legal.

The jury inspected the ear-pieces yesterday, and issued an interim finding saying they were legal. Team New Zealand then asked for a formal ruling.

Team New Zealand bowman Dean Phipps said the ear-pieces, which are used by bowman and trimmers, allowed crew to hear skipper Russell Coutts over the noise of media helicopters hovering over the race boats.