MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota cross-country ski coach is getting some thanks after he handed a spare pole to an opposing skier who had just broken his.

During a cross-country ski race at Wirth Park in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park skier Ben Chong hit a patch of ice and crashed, breaking his ski pole. Just when it seemed like the senior’s chances of helping his team qualify for the state meet had been jeopardized, an assistant Nordic ski coach at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth handed him a spare ski pole.

Doug Hubred’s noble gesture ultimately cost his team a spot in the state meet Thursday in Biwabik.

St. Louis Park won second place, securing a spot in the state meet, while Armstrong finished two points behind.