WELLINGTON, January 31 (Xinhuanet) -- The New Zealand government
is injecting more cash into the America's Cup in a bid to take
full advantage of the economic spin-offs from the international
yachting event.
   Prime Minister Helen Clark announced in a statement here on
Thursday that the government is committing another 3 million New
Zealand dollars (1.3 million U.S. dollars) for initiatives to
promote New Zealand to race competitors and spectators worldwide.
   This comes on top of 5.6 million New Zealand dollars 2.4
million U.S. dollars) announced in May 2000 to assist Team New
Zealand in its defense of the America's Cup.
   "Team New Zealand has not only been a wonderful ambassador for
New Zealand but their success also had positive economic impact on
the country. The government is determined that the enormous
opportunities offered by the New Zealand's second defense of
theAmerica's Cup, are not lost," Helen Clark said.
    The event contributed 640 million New Zealand dollars 275
million U.S. dollars) to New Zealand's economy last time it was
staged  Enditem