All competitors raced two qualification runs, with only the better of the two times used in the final ranking. The top 16 of the 23 competitors advanced to the quarter-finals. Struck-through runs in the table below represent the discarded time for a competitor.[2]
The top 16 qualifiers advanced to the quarterfinal round. From here, they participated in four-person elimination races, with the top two from each race advancing.
The four semifinalists who failed to advanced to the big final competed in the small final to determine 5th through 8th places. The four last place finishers in the quarterfinals contested a 13th-16th classification race, while the third-placed finishers raced for 9th through 13th.[2]
In the large final, American Lindsey Jacobellis had a clear lead heading to the final hill, where she showboated by attempting a twisting grab in the air. She fell, allowing Tanja Frieden to sweep past her and claim the gold medal.[3]