Japan’s Oda stops free skate with 1 minute left for torn shoelace

Oda has to stop program for skatelace

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Japan’s Nobunari Oda stopped his free skate at the Vancouver Olympics with about a minute left because of a torn right skatelace.

Oda fell on a triple loop, then almost immediately stopped his program Thursday night and skated to the judging panel. He showed the shredded lace and was given three minutes to get it fixed.

Oda, in fourth place after the short program, then went to the sideboards, tied the lace in a strong knot, and resumed skating. The crowd gave him a huge ovation when he gave the judges a sign that he was ready to continue.