Crossword Genius

Find the start to the event (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trace

'find' is the definition.
(I know that trace is a more specific form of the action find)

'start to the event' is the wordplay.
'start to' says to take the initial letters.
'event' becomes 'race' (race is a kind of event).
The first letter of 'the' is 't'.
't'+'race'='TRACE'

'the' is the link.

(Other definitions for trace that I've seen before include "Side strap connecting a horse to what it's pulling" , "Seek out" , "a little bit" , "Discover whereabouts" , "Make a copy using semi-transparent paper" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app