The competition consisted of three main rounds (heats, semifinals, and finals) as well as a repechage after the heats.
The 15 boats were divided into three heats for the first round, with 5 boats in each heat. The top 3 boats in each heat advanced directly to the semifinals (9 boats total). The remaining 6 boats competed in a single-heat repechage.
The top 3 boats in the repechage advanced to the semifinals; the bottom 3 boats were eliminated.
The semifinals consisted of two heats of 6 boats each. The top 3 boats in each semifinal advanced to the "A" final (1st through 6th place). The 4th through 6th place boats were placed in the "B" final (7th through 12th place).[2]
