The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals.
All remaining competitors competed in the repechages the next day.
In the third heat, Viitamäki is shown as Ilkka Nummisto in the official report though Viitamäki's name is shown correctly for the rest of the event.
Taking place on October 23, three repechages were held.
The top three finishers in each of the three semifinals (raced on October 24) advanced to the final.