I'm learning Viennese waltz from Jim and Jenell's DVD.
Why? do you cross the left foot on the first half of the rotation of the left turn? It's a counter-clockwise turn, but with that step you are stepping in the direction of clockwise, and thus it seems to be counter-productive.
Also seems like you could tangle your feet and/or step on your partner.
The right turn would seem to be the mirror image, but there is not a cross on this step.
Thanks, David

"Why? do you cross the left foot on the first half of the rotation of the left turn? It's a counter-clockwise turn, but with that step you are stepping in the direction of clockwise, and thus it seems to be counter-productive."

No, it is counter clockwise throughout - actually most of the turn occurs as you cross.

"The right turn would seem to be the mirror image, but there is not a cross on this step."

In an offset hold as we use in ballroom, right and left turns are not mirror images of each other but actually require quite different technique - the body turn in natural turns occurs into the first step, while in reverse turns there's only a subtle initiation of turn into the first step, with the real feeling of turn happening after it.

Also we will usually need to make a full 180 degree of turn in a reverse turn to keep moving in a straight line down the floor, but natural turns are often underturned by some amount to create a path of movement that gradually curves around the short end of the room.