It is a shame that XC racing isnt as viewer friendly as other types of cycle events are.
But I think, that the grass roots racing is still going, at least thats the impression around here.
Here in Canada, we have a couple of pretty good racers making top finishes, which should spur on the kids.
Ski-Racing is the same, if your an avid skier, as I am. and I raced as a kid, we couldnt watch any races, there werent VCR's back then so we could only read about what happend.
Is it any different today? Probobly not, Skiiers don't make an enormous hunk of money, not like sports that require a visual presence like Basket Ball, Base Ball Golf and Hockey do.
But thats just my view on it.