I think just for him to make it to Sochi will be a big ask... to win it may be a step too far. I'm not hating, I'm trying to think it through logically.
A few years ago, I wanted the world and its wife to beat Tanner in the pipe. I didn't like his attitude, I didn't like the way he would gurn and bray at the camera pre and post run, offering ridiculous shout-outs. I would cringe when watching him with people who weren't skiers, embarrassed that they might think that he embodied what skiing was about. These days, I think I must be more of a romantic. Tanner deserves his moment on an international pedestal (and no, the X-Games does not count), so that people from way outside of the ski community, can see what a man he is/was. If Torin (or the next big thing) wins it in Sochi, then fair enough, they will probably merit it, but it means that Tanner will fade without many people knowing his name. Should he win, then his name will have real longevity, and I feel he deserves that.
It may be a strange comparison, but I want to raise the point of ski cross in the Olympics. Many people on here couldn't believe that ski-x was in the Olympics and Ski Pipe wasn't in Vancouver. I was also one of these people. However, my family (back in the UK) absolutely loved it. They didn't care that most of the ski-x weren't specific athletes (most of them were ex racers or big mountain guys; Daron Rahlves, for example), they loved the action. They remembered the names of Delbosco and Schmid. Ski-cross was exciting for the uninitiated, ski-pipe can be the same - I hope it is. If Tanner were to win, people would remember him as "that guy with the beard that won skiing halfpipe for the first time ever," and I think that would be a hell of an accolade.
For the sad news; I think this all very unlikely. Tanner is getting on a bit (although, noone really knows what the shelf-life is for a pipe-skier - Gregg Tufflemire's 1260, anyone?!), and his injuries will continue to plague him. The only man I can think of who continues to be there or there abouts at his age, is Jon Olsson - and I don't think his injury list would come close to Tanner's. Jon, as we know, lives a slightly more rock n roll lifestyle, and only competes when jumps are perfect, even then, the true moderniser of our sport is being left behind. If Tanner is to continue for another two years, he must stay injury free. He must become a Shaun White/Jon Olsson hybrid. He needs to have a perfect pipe built for him somewhere, where he can train every day (when the weather is good), and protect his limbs. If the wind his blowing, he shouldn't bother, like Jon wouldn't.
I think Tanner has too much drive to be told that he can't go skiing on a cloudy day, or because the pipe is too soft. Unfortunately, I think it is his drive - the very thing that would let him and only him come back from these setbacks and compete - which may ultimately stop him from competing and winning the Olympic medal he deserves.
In lieu of this I say, here's to Tanner. One of the godfathers of our sport, and a true pioneer. If you can't make it to Sochi, please continue to make banger pow films so we can all live vicariously through you, like we have been for almost 10 years now.
Sparknotes: I have an exam tomorrow and am procrastinating. Now I'm going to bed. Longest NS post of my life, sorry if I got preachy.
