Felix Neureuther of Germany will sit out World Cup opener in Soelden, AustriaFelix Neureuther of Germany, one of the World Cup's more exciting future prospects, will sit out the first World Cup of the season because of a heart ailment, the German website sport.de reports.

Neureuther, the 20-year-old offspring of two of the sport's legendary champions Rosie Mittermaier and Christian Neureuther, is one of the bright lights for a nation whose alpine team has struggled in recent years. He had a number of strong results last season, including a seventh at the World Cup slalom in St. Anton (one day after competing in the same discipline at World Junior Championships in Maribor, Slovenia).

Neureuther's ailment is apparently inflammation of the pericardium, the structure surrounding the heart cavity. He may still compete in the first slalom of the season at Beaver Creek, Colorado on December 5.