The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals while the remaining nine teams were relegated to the repechages.
The top three finishers from each of the repechages advanced directly to the semifinals.
The top three finishers in each of the semifinals (raced on September 29) advanced to the final.
Norway's reason for not finishing was not disclosed in the official report.
Hungary was seventh at the 500 meter mark before coming back to lead in the third 250-meter part of the race.