The women's K-1 500 metres event was an individual kayaking event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1976 Summer Olympics program.
Contents
Heats
The 15 competitors first raced in two heats on July 28. The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals while the rest competed in the repechages.
Repechages
Taking place on July 28, the top three finishers from each repechage advanced to the semifinals.
Semifinals
The top three finishers in each of the three semifinals (raced on July 30) advanced to the final.
Final
The final was held on July 30.
East German boat designers spent a month studying the Olympic course in Montreal before returning home to construct fiberglass canoes and kayaks that curved inward when placed in the water, allowing them to become longer and faster. Zirzow used one of those kayaks to make up for a poor start in the final to win gold.