Cyclocross - Curious Question

I was flipping through forks for the fun of it on some online retailers and have noticed a lot of carbon cyclocross forks. Now, I realize that a cyclocross fork/frame needs to be light and strong, but wouldn't that be awfully stiff? Possibly stiffer than aluminum? Seems like steel would make for an easier off-road ride.

Am I just wrong about the stiffness of carbon? Does it really even matter in a race?

some people like steel forks because in their opinion it gives a superior ride. some people appreciate the light weight of carbon forks when they have to carry their bikes 5-20 times a race.

does somebody really have to be "wrong?"

Actually one of the selling points of carbon fiber forks is that their ride is allegedly less harsh than aluminum. It's also while you'll see aluminum frames with carbon seatstays and chainstays.

The main advantage of carbon fiber, as it has been explained to me, is that you can custom-tune the flexiness of the various parts of the bike. Lay up tons of it where you want the bike to be stiff (i.e. bottom bracket), make it slender and flexy where you want some forgiveness (seatstays).

Wow, I learn something new every day.