current order of competitors on the timing screen

It means the order that the competitors are in when looking at the 'Competitors' Screen.

So, if you were about to time the first run and you have the competitors sorted by start number, or had just created a start list, it would make life easy because they would be sorted in the correct order and come up as expected in the start area of the timing screen.

If you had it sorted randomly you would need to enter each bib before they start since the system wouldn't be 'guessing' who is next. This isn't the end of the world, but it's always easier if you don't have to key them all in as you go.

I am still a bit confused. Do you have to do both sort by bib number and create a start list; or will either give you the correct first run start order? Same question for second run, and I think I know the answer.

Sorting is not needed if you create start lists and they are in the order you want.

Will sorting mess up the start order in the timing screen? In other words, will it override the start list you create?

If you create a start order it will sort the competitors for the start list and leave them in the correct order. You wouldn't need to do anything else. It's all based on the order they appear on the screen.

The start list you create isn't doing anything other than making a report. The program doesn't remember that order, other than it happens to leave the competitors listed in that order at that time.

If your confused, sit down with some test competitors and play around with it.