My instructor (5 years ago) would have me approach as slow as possible after practicing stalls etc. during the same lesson. Then at about 35 hours, he would pick the nastiest 20+ kt direct cross wind days and have me approach fast and hold it just over the runway in a slip the entire length. Had only one approach post PPL that the crosswind exceeded what the plane would handle to land, so I went to another drome and sat it out a bit. In my area, 15 kt direct is pretty common. For me and my Tiger I've learned 30 kt direct is about my limit (not coss angling the runway or anything special ... I know Ron Levy has gone higher, but I choose not to).