Wren Acorn got a taste of what international short-track competition was all about last month in the Netherlands.

SheSA国际影视传媒檒l get another taste next month and itSA国际影视传媒檚 even bigger than what happened in October.

The 18-year-old Yellowknife speedskater was named on Tuesday as one of 12 skaters for CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 short-track entry at the Winter Universiade in Lucerne, Switzerland, which begins on Dec. 11. The Universiade is organized by the International University Sports Federation and happens every two years.

Acorn had to play the waiting game in order to be selected and she said there was not the slightest bit of a hint that she would be chosen.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of sitting and waiting,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hose skaters who have higher rankings than I do got first dibs on getting to go but theySA国际影视传媒檙e all laser-focused on the (2022) Winter Olympics so that opened things up for me.SA国际影视传媒�

The team is scheduled to leave for Lucerne on Dec. 8 and will return to Canada on Dec. 15, not much of a chance to get to see the city, but Acorn said itSA国际影视传媒檚 all about the skating.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is a business trip,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

As mentioned, this will be the second time Acorn will get to wear the maple leaf; the first chance came at the International Invitation Cup in the Dutch city of Heerenveen. At that meet, it was all European countries she was up against. This time, the Asian nations, such as China and South Korea, will be out there.

Acorn said the Asian countries arenSA国际影视传媒檛 as physical as European skaters can be but the one thing sheSA国际影视传媒檒l have to watch for is the quickness.

SA国际影视传媒淭he South Koreans tend to stay out of it until the last couple of laps and then they pick up the pace and go on the outside,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 tough to defend against because you canSA国际影视传媒檛 block speed. The Netherlands was a good introduction to international competition and ISA国际影视传媒檓 hoping to grow from that experience and work on what I learned there.SA国际影视传媒�

Before Lucerne, though, Acorn will have to contend with the Canadian Junior Short Track Championships in Sherbrooke, Que., at the end of this month. Acorn goes into the meet ranked no. 4 and is expected to be a contender for the title. The top three in the menSA国际影视传媒檚 and womenSA国际影视传媒檚 divisions will get the chance to represent Canada at the World Junior Short Track Championships in Poland this coming March.

Acorn said she isnSA国际影视传媒檛 looking ahead to Lucerne because junior nationals is a bigger event for her.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou canSA国际影视传媒檛 really compare the two events because junior nationals is a whole different beast altogether,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚n Sherbrooke, ISA国际影视传媒檒l be one of the dominant skaters and ISA国际影视传媒檒l be fighting for a spot on the national team. Switzerland is all about learning for me. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 two women from the World Cup team who will be going and ISA国际影视传媒檓 one of the younger ones learning from the elders, so to speak.SA国际影视传媒�

Even though itSA国际影视传媒檚 a learning experience, Acorn said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 still excited to have the chance to go.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know too much about it but I really appreciate the opportunity to go and I hope I do well,SA国际影视传媒� she said.