It may have something to do with the timing of the Worlds (28/29th Jan this year). All the national championships are the beginning of January so that teams are in place for the worlds. Even if you're not running elite, you're racing for stars and stripes in all the other categories in the beginning of January. Nationals tends to be the focus of many. In Europe, there are only 3 weekends of racing after the worlds.

Just an observation.

New this year, we had a New Year's eve race in New York. Well attended and everyone was excited about it.