Hannah Moore image

World para-triathlete champion Hannah Moore has a new ally in her preparations to retain her crown in 2019 – the Ottobock Avantgarde wheelchair.

Below-knee amputee Hannah, 22, who is also in her first year studying for a sports science degree at Loughborough University, has found the Avantgarde invaluable as she prepares and recovers from races, giving her residual limb the rest it needs.

She commented: “When I first started with triathlon I wasn’t doing a great deal of training but now I am doing so much more and that of course puts a lot more strain on my leg and increases the risk of sores and blisters.”

On the advice of her coaches, she decided having a wheelchair would help speed up her recovery time after races and keep her leg as healthy as possible.

She needed something lightweight and compact, and found exactly what she needed with the Avantgarde.

The Avantgarde is Ottobock’s folding manual wheelchair for active users and as well as folding to 27cm width, it comes in 17 different colours. It can have a fixed footplate or swing-away footrests and can be configured for almost all shapes and sizes, with 84 separate configuration points.

“This is so much better than the chair I previously had before my amputation,” she added. “It folds up so small which is ideal when you’re living in halls like me, and for when we travel for competitions.”

Hannah is now preparing for a busy season ahead as she seeks to retain her European and World titles in her classification, PTS4 (for lower limb and through shoulder amputees), as well as trying to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

However, with women’s PTS4 classification not being run in Tokyo, Hannah will have to try to steal a spot from two established para-triathletes – Claire Cashmore and Lauren Steadman – in the PTS5 category, a classification dominated by below-elbow amputees.

“It’s going to be a tough season ahead with a lot to aim for but I’m looking forward to the challenge. All I can do is give it my best,” she said.

Hannah Moore image

The sporty Avantgarde stands out for its extremely small folding size — just 27cm width — and its compact design, making it an ideal companion for car users. Meanwhile, the Avantgarde DV version features swing-away footrests for better standing transfers and closer access, maintaining independence.

The Avantgarde XXL 2, which has been developed to meet the needs of taller, larger or heavier people, features a robust base structure for outstanding stability and ease of use while retaining its active credentials.

Combined with the outstanding functionality of the Avantgarde range, the DS and DV versions have 84 individual adjustment options for the rear wheel for ultimate bespoke adaption, as well as a range of 17 colours for the style savvy.

Ottobock is a supplier of innovative and practical solutions which restore human mobility and help people rediscover their independence.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, Ottobock has grown from its roots in Germany to become a global company, with its UK branch established in 1976.

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