[4] Reigning World Champion Eva Terčelj of Slovenia also competed as a medal hopeful.

A National Olympic Committee (NOC) could enter only 1 qualified canoeist in the women's slalom K-1 event.

A total of 24 qualification places were available, allocated as follows: Three additional athletes competed, having already earned a quota in the Women's C1 event.

[8] The canoe course was approximately 250 metres (820 ft) long, with up to 25 gates that the canoeist had to pass in the correct direction.

Penalty time was added for infractions such as passing on the wrong side or touching a gate.