The number of fiddlers that get to play in each round is decided before the contest starts.

The contest started inauspiciously with a notice in a block association newsletter.

Even before the contest started there were some controversies.

On the day when the contest of tragedies started, the wind got up.

That put the competition on something like a level field when the real contests started.

When the contest started in 1949, the prize was $25,000.

The contest started with a lot of energy, since 37 countries participated.

The contest eventually started on time, but was called after three innings.

In every previous one I can remember it has been pretty clear who would win even before the contest started.

Two o'clock is racing time, and the contests always start promptly.