Why are British people obsessed with mud and awful weather for XC?

It makes it more fun?

Also, since it is a winter sport you typically have that kind of weather in England so that becomes part of it.

tradition

Colonisers and settler mentality?

It is similar to the British mentality on pretty much everything. Their way is the ultimate correct way, the rest of the world is wrong. Surprised they haven’t tried to invade Australia and dump mud all over the course.

Australia WAS settled by British people…

So World XC should only ever be held in the UK since that is where the only acceptable weather occurs?

It was a British penal colony.

So was North America

npr.org

Convict Servants in the American Colonies

During the 18th century, approximately 60,000 convicts were shipped from England to America and sold as indentured servants in the colonies. Today, a museum in Maryland remembers them.

Open link

Probably because they think it's severe pussyitis to turn xc races into road races on grass.

Why do you want cross country to be like track racing?

I don't think I said that or even implied that. I gave a reason why the British like the bad weather.

Personally, I think cross-country is "valid" as long as it's on natural terrain- not roads. Hilly, flat, doesn't matter put it on grass and trails in any weather and it's fine.

It was more like the British send their prisoners there.

theculturetrip.com

Why Great Britain Sent its Prisoners to Australia

Tom Smith

Learn the story behind why one in five Australians today is the descendent of a convict.

Open link

British Links gold and golf in North American is different. You can’t expect a sport to be global if you require the same conditions (unless you go indoors).

When I coached college I would get so pissed at the Euro kids we had complaining about XC not being on muddy and challenging terrain. I had to explain NCAA cross was different, every major race here is deeper, larger, and more talented than Euro champs. Better be ready to go out in 2:04

Have you seen the course? Nothing like a road race.

I could see the argument that it is gimmicky, but there are hills and tough terrain.

Just like the British open golf is on open fields and the Augusta Masters is on manicured lawns.

Americans don't like to get dirty.

LOL 19:48 on that video! Now we know why Tim Hutchings hates manicured courses!

But being completely honest, my feeling is that the Brit's only real chance to be competitive in world XC is when the terrain is muddy uneven, twisting, etc. They are no match for the Africans in a flat out footrace. This is why front by saying only "real XC" is with mud and uneven terrain--its the only way they can win! lol

That's why the British also like their teeth bad. 🥼🚬🦷🦷

Van Cortlandt Park 1970's.

Vs.

Van Cortlandt Park 2023